Houston kicks off 2019 Valley high school graduations

WASILLA — Houston Junior Senior High School seniors embraced their peers, teachers, family and community as adolescents for the last time on Monday, celebrating the class of 2019’s graduation at the Menard Center in Wasilla.

“As we leave these halls into the real world, let us all strive to be the very best versions of ourselves,” valedictorian Jennifer Peterson said.

Houston was the first Valley high school to graduate this year along with the Mat-Su Middle College which also celebrated graduated at the Wasilla Middle College.

The remaining seniors across the Valley are set to walk down the aisle for their diplomas this week. Nearly all of the graduation ceremonies will be at the Menard Center, save a few like Palmer High School and Redington Junior/Senior High School.

Houston Junior/Senior High School Principal Ben Howard said that graduation is about celebrating change after all the milestones that led here.

The infamous 2018 earthquake prompted historic changes for Houston Middle and High School, rendering the middle school unusable and ultimately leading to the fusion of the two at the high school campus. The two schools became Houston Junior Senior High School.

“There were unexpected changed that altered the course of our schools- literally in a matter of two minutes,” Howard said.

Howard said this was a difficult time for the schools. He said it was a colossal challenge, but the way everyone rose to the challenge and how they handled the adversity will make them more resilient for years to come.

“It’s been an extraordinary six months since then. The support we felt from everyone in the district, including students and staff has been tremendous. The same is true from our families and community,” Howard said.

Salutatorian Audrey Giddings said that one of the phrases she’s heard from seniors is “I don’t know,” be it what college to go to or what career to plan. She said the lingering question has always been what to do next.

“All throughout high school, we’re expected to figure out what we want to do with the rest of our lives and stick with that decision. It’s a very intimidating yet exciting concept,” Giddings said.

Giddings said that they all have the chance to plan years ahead with blank slate and countless possible paths to take. She said that some will join military while others will go straight into careers such as a family businesses or a trade like commercial fishing. She said that or some may peruse their own business, and others will work to become the next generation of professionals like teachers, pilots and dentists.

“Some students are choosing a career based on the amount of money that careers can produce, while others go on to college without a clue in their mind and some have known for years what they’re passionate about,” Giddings said.

Giddings said that the only thing they need to know how excited they are to be done with high school, which is a bitter sweet matter of fact. She said that despite all the times she said, “I can’t wait to be done and get out of here,” her feelings were juxtaposed as she wasn’t fully convinced she was ready to go either.

“One of the best pieces of advice I’ve been given that it’s okay to not know what we’re doing at this point in our lives. We’re supposed to know exactly what we’re going to be until years from now. This time in our lives is supposed to be for trying different things, figuring out what interests us and what doesn’t as well as finding out who we are and what we want to be,” Giddings said.

She said that she’s come to terms with the final chapter of her adolescence, reminiscing all the moments leading to now with nostalgia while looking outward to her future shaped by the advice and life lessons she’s received along the way.

“It’s this advice and guidance that has pushed me in the right direction to peruse my dreams and make the phrase ‘I don’t know’ less frequently. My wish for all of you is as you’re finding out who you are and what you are doing, keep moving forward and embrace change. Be willing to try different paths. Strive to find your passion and enjoy the whole journey,” Giddings said.

Peterson said that life isn’t fair and failure is part of the process. She said that how everyone handles their challenges is what lays down the foundation of who they will become.

“Success should be measured by your personal happiness. This world is cruel. People will ridicule you up and down no matter the circumstances. Do what you love and love what you do and your quality of life will increase astronomically,” Peterson said.

Peterson said that she and her fellow seniors are about to enter a whole new world of possibilities. She said it will be a time that isn’t solely based on “hard and fast” decisions; rather a time to take risks, try new things and make mistakes.

“Those mistakes help us grow into the person we want to be. And it’s okay not have it all figured out. Take the risk even if it terrifies you, especially if it terrifies you. It may not work out. That’s the point. Be brave and do it anyway. Soak up everything this world has to offer you,”

She said it’s all a leap of faith, whether it’s falling in love or starting a nonprofit; and all these steps, stumbles, memories and milestones will guide the way for who they become.

“And above all, never lose your spark,” Peterson said.

Mat-Su Career & Tech High School is the next Valley high school to graduate and will celebrate at the Menard Center on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Select schools will be offering live streaming options. For more information, visit: www.matsuk12.us.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com

Remaining 2019 Graduation Schedule:

School Date / Time Location

Career & Tech High May 14; 7 p.m, Menard Sports Complex

Palmer High School May 14; 7 p.m. Palmer High School Gym

Redington 5/14/2019; 7 p.m. Redington

Valley Pathways School May 15; 1 p.m. Menard Sports Complex

Colony High School May 15; 7 p.m. Menard Sports Complex

Su-Valley School May 15; 7 p.m. Su-Valley School

Mat-Su Central May 16; 1 p.m. Menard Sports Complex

Wasilla High School May 16; 7 p.m. Menard Sports Complex

Twindly Bridge Charter May 16; 7 p.m. Wasilla High School Theatre

Burchell High School May 17; 3 p.m. Menard Sports Complex