More than 200 Knights armed for the future

WASILLA — Tuesday night, 218 Colony High School seniors were introduced amid a thundering chorus from the drumline.

At 7 p.m., the first note silenced the straggling parents finding seats and the seated parents comparing their students’ colleges. The drums gained speed and volume, echoing off the hallway, reaching a crescendo as the first two students appeared on the causeway ringing the top of the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center.

The students, clad in green robes and white sashes, presented themselves two by two, winding down to the gym floor. As the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” started up, the students found their seats, settling in for their graduation into life after school.

Before the ceremony, seniors Mariah Knutson and Hailey Nelson shared the mood of all the students.

“It’s exciting and scary,” said Knutson, “not knowing what’s going to happen next.”

“Out in the real world,” said Nelson with a nervous laugh.

“High school had it’s ups and downs,” said Nelson. “Overall, I enjoyed it.”

“The ups made up for the downs,” added Knutson.

Mike Trask is looking forward to waking up not having to go to school every day. He’s working until he is 21 then hopes he can join Anchorage Police Department.

“High school was good,” Trask said. “I slacked off a lot, but I still graduated.”

Lindsie Lee and Cody James liked the social aspect of high school but are excited for it to be over. Monday morning, James said he’s going to head back to work at Sears until he figures out what he wants to do. Lee, like Knutson and Nelson, is looking forward to college in the fall. Lee is headed to UAA, Knutson is going to Mat-Su College, and Nelson is leaving for Idaho State.

Going to college is the plan shared by most Colony graduates this year, said Principal Cyd Duffin. About 63 percent of the seniors are continuing their formal education and have received $572,175 in scholarship money, Duffin said. This is not surprising from a school where the girls basketball team grade point average was 4.19.

With a slow, deliberate tone, Kyler Kuehler outlines his own ambitious plans for after graduation.

“I’m off on my own now, and have to make my own way in this world, but I look forward to it,” Kuehler said. “I plan on becoming a writer. I wrote two books so far and plan on having them published this summer.”

This depth and breadth of Colony’s talent was the theme of the night. Flanked by two suits of armor, Knight after Knight showcased the achievements of the senior class.

Valedictorian Collin Murphy outlined the persistence and determination it takes to push beyond average. He cited state wrestling championships, science Olympiad victories, chess masters and culinary excellence as evidence Colony nurtures these traits.

Staff speaker and history teacher Tom Berg, himself a Colony graduate, told the students to never doubt themselves. Society is a reflection of the decisions made by the population, so use your talents to shape the world, he said.

Student speaker Tara Murray said while she never found her talent, she did find the common thread between the people who were great at what they did.

“Talents are just minute parts,” Murray said. “Passion is what makes us great.”

This passion was on display as Yiying Jin serenaded the crowd with Antonin Dvorak’s “Humoresque” on her violin. Brenna Gebhardt sang Taylor Swift’s “Change” with music played by Ryan Bargelski, Leon Osborne and Donté Powell. Alex Coon presented Covenant House with the fruits of the class’s fundraising efforts, a check for $3,000.

To match the prestigious accomplishments of the class, the ceremony was very dignified and refined. There were no air horns, streakers or even blow-up dolls. The students decided to take a measured first step into their future.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or (907) 352-2252.