Redington celebrates 2023 graduation

WASILLA — Redington Junior Senior High School celebrated its 2023 graduation at the Menard Sports Center Thursday, May 18.

Student speaker Icsys Gale-Bolger said their class had to endure numerous challenges in and around the pandemic to make it to graduation. She thanked all the family members, friends, and school staff for their ceaseless support.

“We went through a pretty big battle making it this far but we weren't alone,” Icsys said. "Thank you to everyone who's shown their love, support, and dedication to our seniors. We truly won't forget how far you've all come to get us here today."

Icsys addressed her fellow graduates and told them that they have what it takes to follow their dreams.

"We may still know little about the world, but we know we need to surround ourselves with what truly ignites us: the people that give us motivation, the activities that make life worth living, and the little things that make us pause and recognize what fuels us," Icsys said. "After today, we don't need to worry about what our perfect little life is going to be like because the truth is we're just going to figure it out day by day."

Keynote speaker Anthony Brooke told the graduating class that they had plenty of support from those around them, but their personal drive was ultimately the key element required to successfully make it to this point.

"You are here today, ready to receive your high school diploma because you believed in yourself," Brooke said.

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