Staff members highlight unique stories of their students' personal triumphs during Valley Pathways graduation

Valley Pathways School celebrated its 2023 graduation at the Menard Sports Center Wednesday, May 17.

Students were recognized one by one by their respective teachers during the ceremony. This was an opportunity for staff members to highlight the unique stories of their students' personal triumphs and what makes them special as individuals.

Valley Pathways Principal Megan Raanes said their unique graduation structure reflects their unique learning style where each student is assigned to an advisor for their primary learning experience.

"The advisors guide each student during their time at Pathways, building authentic relationships along the way," Raanes said.

Student speaker Logan Deal said that he's been following his number one rule for the past year and a half that's helped him better his life. He said that his rule is simply to follow your dreams. He said that can be done by figuring out what you want to do most in life, finding out the first steps to take and doing whatever it takes to keep moving forward.

"If you truly fight for what you want tooth and nail, and put in the pain and work and effort no matter unbearable it may seem, you will accomplish what you want," Deal said.

Justin Olsen said they all will undoubtedly encounter new challenges and uncertainties as they move into adulthood, but they have what it takes to make it through.

"It's okay to be scared. It's okay to feel like you don't have all the answers. What's important is that we keep moving forward one step at a time," Olsen said.

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