Su Valley grads savor celebration

May 22, 2007

By John R. Moses/Frontiersman

WILLOW - Starburst candies flew across the stage well before mortar boards went into the air as Susitna Valley Jr./Sr. High School celebrated the graduating class of 2007 inside the Willow Community Center Monday night.

Hundreds at the event heard speeches and watched a slide show documenting the lives of Su Valley graduates. The close-knit school community of family and friends showed up in force to see another group of teens they've known for years - in some cases all of their lives - mark a rite of passage.

There were 29 photos in the graduation program, and one graduate was especially close to principal Matt Clark. He handed his youngest son, Travis, a diploma. &#8220It's pretty emotional,” said Clark, who is used to being both an educator and a parent on campus.

Su Valley's junior and senior high students have had an interesting - if not trying - year due to construction that in March sent them into portable classrooms for some or all classes.

This was noted in valedictorian Megan Ostermick's address. After spring break, &#8220We came back to a portable village. All we could do was laugh,” she said. &#8220 . . .But we adjusted.

Ostermick said going to a small school like Su Valley has advantages.

&#8220With all of us packed like sardines” in the small school, &#8220there's no room for cliques,” she said. &#8220Our teachers have become so much more than teachers,” she continued. &#8220But also mentors and friends.”

&#8220Deep down we will always be Su Valley kids,” she said.

The keynote address came from departing music teacher Jonathan McBride. He brought the Starbursts, tossing one to each student who could finish phrases he used in the classroom.

He noted his college career was somewhat lengthy.

&#8220I have to remind my wife that lots of people take eight years to graduate college,” he said. &#8220She reminds me that those people are called doctors.”

Colin Olner and Travis Clark shared a senior class address that was quick and based on Noah's Ark. Among their observations, &#8220The ark was built by amateurs. The Titanic was built by professionals,” and that speed may not have a lot to do with success, as &#8220the snails were on board with the cheetahs.”

Their final quip: &#8220The woodpecker may have to go.”

Luetta Robinson was one proud mother, especially when her daughter Amarayah Robinson's rich operatic rendition of &#8220Lascia Ch'io Pianga” brought down the house and spurred a standing ovation from many in the crowd.

The whole family attended, including the oldest brother, who traveled from Washington state to surprise Amarayah, who will spend a year at the University of Alaska Anchorage before becoming an international exchange student studying opera. &#8220It's awesome,” she said after the event as people drank punch, enjoyed cake prepared by Talkeetna Homemakers and graduates looked forward to a bonfire down by the river in

Talkeetna.

SU VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2007

Jolene P. Armstrong, Rabecca Irene Arnold, Sara Christine Bartel, Amber Marie Beckett, Justin J.Benjamin, Jennifer L. Birdsall, Travis James Clark, Cherell Lynn Drover, Joshua P. Filter, Charles A. Goodenough, Hannah L. Hamler, Jacob Jerome Hartley, Denali Hopkins, Ashley Marie Kolbeck, Courtney James Lavallee, Jacob A. Mannix, Giselle B. Merkley, Johnathan David Nelson, Colin J. Olner, Megan Louise Ostermick, Amber Nicole Powers, Cory A. Reiter, Amaryah H. Robinson, Mac A. Stevens, Jennifer Lynn Thompson, Noelle Miriam Valentine, Travis Duley Wharton, Samuel T. Widener, Geneva Daphine Andrea Randles.