Valley Pathways celebrates 2024 graduation

WASILLA — Valley Pathways School's Class of 2024 celebrated its graduation ceremony at the Menard Sports Center Thursday, May 17.

“I'm very proud of our Class of 2024,” Valley Pathways Principal Megan Raanes said.

Student speaker HaileyMae Kaznakoff thanked the Valley Pathways faculty for always being there for her various highs and lows.

"Over time, Valley Pathways became my home away from home. I grew close to the teachers and staff and I finally felt like I found somewhere where I belonged,” Kaznakoff said. “We have all been through things some more or less than others but we all made it here today together. I know these next big steps in life are scary and you might feel like you're all alone but you're not. So my advice to you guys is: find your people, the people that will lift you up; and use the resources and advice that is given to you, it will go a long way.”

Student speaker Joe Mustin told his fellow graduates that he failed most of his senior classes and gave up on himself prior to transferring to Valley Pathways. He said that the school's positive atmosphere gave him hope and he was able to turn things around.

“I came here feeling like a failure. After a month of being here, I realized no one saw me as a failure. They all wanted the same thing. They wanted me to succeed. For that, I want to thank them for all that they've done for me,” he said.

Mustin thanked the various faculty members for their encouragement and dedication and he was especially thankful for his advisor Franchesca Heywood's guidance.

“Thank you for being more than a teacher, not just for me but for all your advisees. Your unwavering support, belief, and love in us has made a difference in all our lives,” Mustin said.

Mustin commended his peers for making it to this important milestone.

“Some of us fought to get here while others got here easily. All that matters now is that we made it. We're not failures," he said.

Student speaker Sage Ivey also shared how much the Valley Pathways faculty’s efforts meant to him. He said that he was struggling with serious issues such as severe depression when he first came to the school. He said that everything turned around over time and he's incredibly thankful for the life changing environment he finished his high school career at.

“Valley Pathways became my refuge, my place of healing and self discovery. Had I gone to some other school, I don't know where I'd be today. All of the teachers have helped me so much. They're all inspiring, guiding this generation through challenges… I've heard some say they've saved lives and I believe them… I am deeply grateful for their impact on my life,” Ivey said.

Student speaker BailySkye Braun shared some parting advice for her fellow graduates such as not taking things for granted. She said that no matter how much they want to, they can never go back to their time in high school. She advised her peers to appreciate their time at Valley Pathways and use their experiences to carve their own paths into the future.

“As Winnie the Pooh said, ‘How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard,’” Braun said. “We are all going to do such amazing things… We serve as live examples that it is possible to realize the aspirations we had as children are obtainable. It's never too late to have a fresh beginning.”

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