Warriors rock Menard Center in farewell to seniors

WASILLA — The Mat-Su Valley’s biggest high school, boasting the largest graduating class with 189 Warriors donning scarlet caps and gowns, Wasilla High blew the top off of the Menard Center.

Driving the show was hands-down the most elaborate performance at any of the week’s graduations, with the Wasilla High Jazz Choir bringing it home with a pair of electric numbers, including Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, which conveniently was the theme of Sierra Imoe’s valedictorian’s speech.

“Believe in yourself; believe in those around you and remember to thank all those who believed in you — your parents, your teachers,” concluded Imoe, who will be taking her 4.3 GPA to Central Michigan University in the fall. “Those people never stopped believing in us; so class of 2017, thank you all, and remember — don’t stop believing.”

With that, the jazz choir broke into song with each graduate holding up a small light as to simulate a concert scene.

Earlier in the commencement, the choir, fronted by senior Mackenzie Seims, brought the house to its feet with the song ‘Operator’ from the 1957 musical ‘Bernadine’.

After that, senior class president Lance Lee and vice-president Andrea Wagner — both of whom are headed to Portland State University — spoke to the crowd. Both were instrumental in getting open-campus lunch restored for qualifying juniors and seniors after more than a decade without.

“This senior year flew by. We ordered caps and gowns at the start of the year, but we never thought this day would get here so fast,” Lee said. “We used to see each other all the time in the hallways. As seniors, we saw each other maybe once a month. Now we may not even see each other once a year. But I know it’s better that way. We’re off to do wonderful things.”

Principal Carol Boatman reminded the class to make a mark on society, and all the while be mindful of what they do and say — especially on social media.

“I look forward to reading about how you shape the world,” Boatman said. “Be yourself, be intentional and be faithful.”

Wasilla High School Class of 2017

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