“Live a good story.” Knik Charter School celebrates commencement

Knik Charter School (KCS) held its Class of 2024 graduation ceremony at the Glenn Massay Theater on May 21, 2024, marking its second commencement in the two years the school has been opened.

“We are here to celebrate the culmination of another academic year,” said KCS Principal Tyler Gilligan at the beginning of the commencement. “This year holds special significance for us as it marks the second year of our school’s journey.”

Gilligan called the graduates “small, but mighty” group of five part of the building blocks of the school, each student contributing in their own unique way and leaving their mark on the hearts and minds of the students, staff, and community.

“Your time here has laid the groundwork for your future success. The lessons you’ve learned, the friendships you’ve forged, and the challenges you’ve overcome have all played a crucial role in preparing you for the journey ahead.”

Fifth grade students from KCS regaled and delighted the audience with two Alaska Native traditional songs and dancing that they learned through the course of the school.

Later, Drew Regner, Executive Director of the Alaska Midnight Sundance Council, performed “Pidgeon Lake,” an Honor Song and Drumming performance.

Valedictorian Taval Alan Dyer told the audience he was surprised to hear that he had been named as such and said he was happy to think he was the smartest of his fellow graduates…until he learned that he would have to give a speech. He then jokingly said that perhaps that tradition should be changed.

“Who came up with that system that the person with the best grades has to give a speech?” He proposed that perhaps it should be the other way around.

Dyer thanked his parents for their support and for teaching him that there is more to life than just grades.

“My parents taught me how to live with a good story.”

Dyer quoted author Donald Miller, who once said, “Once you live a good story, you get a taste for a kind of meaning in life, and you can't go back to being normal; you can't go back to meaningless scenes stitched together by the forgettable thread of wasted time.”

He then talked about his favorite movie, ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,’ in which the main character, Walter leads a boring life but has dreams of adventure and living an amazing life. Walter later ends up in Iceland only to end up on crazy adventures involving helicopters, sharks, and volcanoes.

“My life advice comes from him: dreams are meant to be lived, not just dreamt.” Dyer said that, to him, it means going on adventures, taking risks, not being afraid to try new things.

“It means meeting new people, exploring the world, and making memories that we’ll look back on.” Dyer advised his fellow graduates to balance academics with the joy of living life and to be brave, kind, curious, and always be ready for the next great adventure.

“Let’s remember to live a good story.”

This year’s graduates are Alex Alfred Anvil, Taval Alan Dyer, Dominick Alexander Franco, Ashley Anne Palaniuk, and Destiny Lynn Shields.