American Charter Academy kicks off graduation season

WASILLA — Dr. Seuss is an oft-cited sage at graduation time, but the quote Jenita Olson chose for her speech Monday is about as apt a description of this time of year as can be found.

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

Olson, referencing a fond high school memory many in the crowd of graduates seemed to share, said, “I will smile every time I see a whipped cream can.”

She was one of 38 graduates to cross the stage and receive a diploma Monday at the graduation ceremony for American Charter Academy at Wasilla Bible Church. Some of those students came to the school through Alaska Job Corps, where students can take extra classes through a partnership with American Charter and get their diplomas.

The other graduate to speak, Taylor Guthrie, said that high school goes by too fast. She urged her classmates to continue to achieve.

“We may not have the ability to inspire the whole world to success, but we have the power to inspire it for ourselves,” Guthrie said.

Commencement speaker Charlie Huggins, also a state senator from Wasilla and husband of the school’s principal, Becky Huggins, took time out of his speech to recognize graduates heading into the military.

Cody Larson, Lincoln Matson, Shane Olson and Angeline McManus received cups bearing the regalia of the division of the military — Air Force, Marine Corps — each intended to join, though in Matson’s case it’s a sure thing. He’s already enlisted.

A teacher Huggins asked to describe the school in one word suggested “ambition.” The senator said statistics support that notion. The class had a 20 percent higher graduation rate than last year and scored above the district average on reading, writing and math tests.

“For that I say congratulations,” Huggins said.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.

Tuesday, May 15

• Colony High graduation is at 7 p.m. at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla.

• Valley Pathways graduation is at 1 p.m. at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla.

Wednesday, May 16

• Susitna Valley High graduation is at 7 p.m. at Su Valley High.

• Wasilla High graduation is at 7 p.m. at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla.

• Palmer High graduation is at 7 p.m. at Palmer High School.

Thursday, May 17

• Twindly Bridge Charter graduation is at 7 p.m. at Wasilla High Theatre.

• Houston High graduation is at 7 p.m. at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla.

Friday, May 18

• Burchell High, 7 p.m., Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla.

• Mat-Su Career and Technical High School, 7 p.m., Mat Su Career and Tech High.

• Mat-Su Central, 1 p.m., Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla.