Hometown Huskies blaze new trails

WASILLA — The class of 2018 graduating at Joe Redington JR/SR may be smaller than most other schools in the Mat-Su Valley but they made history three years after first opening their doors.

On Tuesday, May 9, 42 young adults- Redington’s first graduating class- walked across the stage.

“We hope you savor this time as you make your own trails,” said the student selected guest speaker, Barbara Redington.

Barbara is daughter in-law to the “Father of the Iditarod” and the school’s namesake- Joe Redington. She wished the students “smooth trails and beautiful scenery for miles.”

“Similar to Joe Redington Sr., we will leave a legacy behind us,” said Valedictorian, Shale Lytle.

The Iditarod parallels did not end there.

Several Redington students, staff and guest speakers solidified the school’s sled dog roots and reiterated their image of hardy, trail-blazing huskies.

Keynote Speaker and Mat-Su Borough School District (MSBSD) superintendent, Dr. Monica Goyette said that in many ways, this graduation felt like the start of a dog race, with the “excitement in the air — people are cheering and jumping.” She commended the 2018 class for working hard through tough conditions.

“Your hard work and perseverance has led to this. You will never forget that you were built for endurance, a high tolerance to the cold and the ability to survive on very little,” Goyette said.

“Awoooooooo!” the graduates howled.

14 percent of the class of 2018 achieved college scholarships, earning a total of $61,000 combined. Five students received $12,000 a piece from the University of Alaska (UA) Scholar Program to be used in four academic years at any of the 15 campuses across the state. Students include, Travis Castle, Even Collins, Courtney Crockett, Shale Lytle, and Taylor Ryan. The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) awarded one graduate, Bryson Carrillo a $1,000 scholarship for seeking a career in the medical field.

“There will be other graduating classes, but there will never be another first class,” said Redington principal, Thomas Lytle.

As everyone was setting up, Lytle looked at the vast sea of heads, family and friends jostling in their chairs. Within the next few years, Redington may have to move to larger venues like the Curtis D. Menard Center, the hot spot and only real solution for big schools like Colony, Palmer and Wasilla. The Menard Center was double booked according to Lytle. That didn’t seem to be a problem since the crowd fit the current ratio.

“It definitely has more of a family feel right now,” Lytle said.

Knik, to many residents, feels like its own demographic. Facing the sea and off the edge of Wasilla, the historic Knik site, the original Valley boom town has a dense history and large population. Much like areas like Meadow Lakes and Big Lake, Knik residents tend to tote their own sense of identity and culture.

“If you ask anyone out here where they live, they usually will say: Knik,” Lytle said.

Since Lytle’s daughter, Shale was wearing a cap and gown with the rest of the class of 2018, his colleagues took bets whether or not he would cry. Although his voice sounded somewhat cracked and he seemed to be composing himself on the podium, those who thought he would cry owe up. He said that this journey “formally began” 13 years ago, when they walked, perhaps hand in hand with their parent to their first day of school in Kindergarten.

“It was my first day of Kindergarten too. That was my first and only year teaching Kindergarten down the hall from where my baby girl was beginning her very own educational career. And yes Shale, I just referred to you as my baby girl in front of everyone, because I’m sure I’m not alone when I say: you will always be my baby,” Lytle said and an “aww” broke out in the crowd.

During one of the final and most photogenic potions of the evening, each graduate placed a metal dog tag with their name on it into a green box suddenly handed to Lytle. He winced but those betting he would cry still had to cough up.

“Many of you have had to overcome self-doubt, voices telling you that you can’t- or it could be that you were born on the wrong side of the Wasilla train tracks,” Lytle said.

He named off the various ways these post-pubescent pupils have faced adversity and challenges, from failed test scores to losing a job.

“Struggle is real pain happens,” Lytle said.

Co-senior class president, Nicole Winsor thanked everyone from parents and teachers, to substitutes and custodians, all playing a role to raise this batch of millennials. She took a moment and asked every graduate to turn around and face their family. They turned around gingerly and smiled at crowd, some even waving. The room chuckled.

Winsor instructed the graduates to say, “Mom, dad- thank you.” They complied. The crowd stirred and several "you're welcomes" rang out with more laughter. She said they could never repay them for their countless hours invested and instructed the graduates to say their thanks once again.

“None of us have done it by ourselves. Behind each graduate is at least one person who pushed them,” Winsor said.

During the Ceremony of Roses, she instructed each graduate to make their rounds across the room and hand roses to the important people in their lives, the ones who challenged them to work harder.

"You gave us time when we needed it and you pushed us, even when he had 'senioritis,'" Winsor said.

Kiana McGovern emceed the graduation as the "Mistress of Ceremony." She said that her class began their high school career like any other, as "clueless freshman."

"I don't even want to talk about, let alone talk about the fact that we had to get used to walking the halls with middle schoolers..." McGovern said and the room chuckled.

Due to the limited student population and lack of upperclassmen, their sophmore year was more unique than others. They stepped into the upperclassmen roles and rolled with the punches.

"Who knew, as sophomores, we'd be expected to form our own student government or throw a pep rally? We were a mess!" McGovern said.

She said they made the best of it and became friends. Working together, they broke their molds and broke in the new school, setting the example for the next generation of Huskies.

"In the last three years, we were able to generate new expectations and make very best out of brand new programs. No matter how many times we hear it tonight, I'm proud to be part of the first graduating class of Redington High," McGovern said.