1st Career Tech grads blaze trail

PALMER — For Ben Eveland the experiment worked.

Eveland, the principal of the Mat-Su Career and Technical High School, stood in front of 18 graduates Tuesday evening expounding on the success of the school’s first graduating class.

“I think they’ll make better career choices than most,” Eveland said before the commencement began.

The career and technical high school’s curriculum differs from most high schools because students focus in one pathway — or career concentration — preparing for college or to go directly into the work force. The school offers building, business, fitness, health and tourism pathways.

A wired and high-tech auditorium held an evening of congratulations as students, parents and friends gathered to recognized the accomplishments of the small graduating class..

The class’s motto: “First year, first class.”

But the school’s graduation was different from most because the production was put on entirely by students. The point, Eveland said, aligned itself with the school’s directive of real world, career-based teaching.

For the graduates, however, it didn’t matter who was running the show, they were ready to walk the stage.

Tommy Hightower, the Class of 2008’s valedictorian, was in a jovial mood before putting on his cap and gown.

“I sucked up to a lot of teachers,” Hightower said, joking about how he made it through high school.

Standing nearby, one of Hightower’s teachers, Kathi Baldwin, revealed the truth.

“No, he’s tried hard,” Baldwin said.

Hightower completed the health pathway and will work with the Gannett Glacier Fire Crew.

Hightower graduated Tuesday at the top of his class, allowing him and salutatorian Charles Jon Macy — the next highest ranked student — to be accepted into the University of Alaska Scholars Program. The scholarship provides for $11,000 to attend a UA school.

Macy, in his speech, waxed nostalgic about the past four years of high school. He also gave words of encouragement to his classmates.

“Today is not the end. Today is not the beginning,” Macy said. “Today is the end of the beginning.”

Macy’s encouragement was echoed by the night’s keynote speaker, four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion Martin Buser.

Buser shared his amazement at what the students at the career and technical high school have accomplished, and congratulated them on taking a chance on a new school.

“You chose your own way,” Buser said. “You chose your own culture.”

Buser shared stories from his own challenges, including his orientation to life in the United States after he moved from Switzerland. Throughout it all, Buser said he tried as hard as he could, garnering him the success he has today.

“Making the best is what I want you guys to do,” he said.

The graduates weren’t the only ones about to adjust to a life change; parents were also preparing for what lies ahead Tuesday night.

Mark and Sue Crossthwaite sat together, camera ready, to watch their daughter Makayla grab her diploma. Both parents lauded the high school’s approach to education.

“They actually have an interest to come to school,” Mark Crossthwaite said.

Sue Crossthwaite agreed.

“They know how to keep them on track,” she said.

Makalya will go on to be a dental assistant, taking what she learned in her nutrition pathway and applying it in the real world.