Colony High School’s giant graduation

WASILLA— The Curtis D. Menard Sports Center was jam-packed on Wednesday, May 9 as 270 Colony Knights walked across the stage to receive their diploma.

Both the valedictorian and the salutatorian opted out of speaking that evening, which isn’t too uncommon in “this day of age” according to Colony High School (CHS) principal, Brendon McMahon. Myah Alston-Robertson and Malik Williams-Hollis were the class-selected speakers of the evening. They looked out at the class of 2018, which was substantially bigger than last year by about 40 to 50 students. Williams-Hollis said that change was inevitable and they will soon face all new challenges in pursuit of their happiness.

“Our goals and dreams may be hard to achieve, but as Tupac once said, ‘Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true,’” Williams-Hollis said.

The CHS class of 2018 earned over $3.5 million in scholarships from both athletics and academics, according to Alston-Robertson.

“Let’s all take whatever story we’re given and make it great,” Alston-Robertson said.

Per CHS tradition since 2010, the graduating class danced to a pop song towards the end of the ceremony. Before the balloons fell, the cap and gowned group busted out their glow sticks and got down to Miley Cyrus’ song, “Party in the USA.” The song choice usually attempts to epitomize the current class. In this case, growing up, feeling nervous and feeling okay jamming to your favorite songs: “They're playin' my song You know I'm gonna be OK. Yeah, it's a party in the USA!”

Julie Wilcox, a former front office secretary for CHS spoke at the podium. Wilcox is moving to California soon but she has fond memories of the school. She spent the last year substitute teaching in classrooms and at the front desk. At the end of her speech, she asked everyone in the room to hold up their glowing cell phones. The arena lit up as people held their phones above their heads. To show their support for the graduates, she asked them to say three times: “I believe in you, support you and love you.”

“I want them to see it, I want them to hear it but most importantly, I want them to feel it,” Wilcox said.

After their heartfelt chant, the crowd erupted with applause.

Miss Alaska 2018, Angelina Klapperich attended the graduation. As a former CHS student, she felt a wave of nostalgia hit her.

“I have such incredible memories at Colony High as class president all four years and learning from such uplifting teachers and peers who truly helped shape me and develop my capacity for compassion!” Klapperich said.

She saw countless outpours of affection remembered her senior quote, “Never underestimate the power of a smile, a touch or a small act of caring, all of which have the power to turn a life around.”