High school graduation ceremonies are often filled with cliches and the dreams graduates hold for the future. This year, graduation ceremonies around Whatcom County followed the same themes, but also looked back on the unique challenges these graduates faced as students during the pandemic — young sophomores when the world first shut down.
“Many have expressed the actual four-year experience of high school has been the best two years of your life,” Bellingham High School Principal Marty Atkins said at the Saturday graduation ceremony at Civic Stadium.
Graduates throw their mortarboards in the air after the Bellingham High School graduation ceremonies at Civic Stadium on June 11. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
The main conclusion from faculty and student speakers: their resiliency has only made them a stronger generation to face all that is to come.
“I know when we look to the future, it looks scary and it looks daunting, but I have nothing but trust and knowing that you are the best generation to leave our future with,” said Lauren Tucker, a Sehome High School English teacher and the student-selected faculty speaker. “Everything you’ve been through has prepared you for everything you’re going to go through.”
As graduates and their relatives meet to celebrate at Sehome High School, Josie Wilson poses for a photo with her grandparents, Nan and Thomas. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News) 
Options High School graduates turn their tassels to the other side of their caps at Civic Stadium on June 11. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
Student speakers delved into memories and what they valued most from their time in high school. They encouraged their peers to be themselves as they approach the newest crossroad in their lives.
“These upcoming years are going to be about learning to find our passion,” Squalicum High School graduate Madison Rodriguez said.
“No matter what happens, do not give up,” Options High School graduate Gaven Soukup said. “You can do this; you will succeed. Let your dreams become reality and be true to yourself. You matter and so does what makes you happy matter.”
Bellingham High School student speaker Kaycee French reflected on how her class was “known to the be the class with great ideas, but poor execution.”
“I argue that our class has pristine execution because we executed good times and memories that carry meaning,” French said.
She looked back at school competitions and the series of pranks they pulled in their final weeks at Bellingham High School.
When it was time to give out diplomas for the class, each student walked up with a pingpong ball and passed it to Principal Atkins as they shook his hand. By the time they finished receiving their diplomas, a pile of white balls surrounded Atkins’ feet, marking the class’s final prank of the year.
Matthew Perez grabs a bucket away from Principal Marty Atkins, who was using the bucket to place pingpong balls given to him by each graduate while shaking his hand. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
Bellingham High School Principal Marty Atkins tucks pingpong balls into his gown’s sleeves at graduation ceremonies at Civic Stadium on June 11. Each student, as a prank, gave Atkins a ball while accepting a handshake at the graduation. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
At each ceremony, Superintendent Greg Baker read bits of advice from who he said were the wisest people in the school district: kindergartners.
The advice included: “they should learn about what they don’t know,” to tip people who clean their cars, to be nice to their moms, to work really hard to go to college and to get ice cream with their friends.
Lynden Christian and Meridian high schools walked across the stage on June 9. Ferndale High School, Lynden High School, Blaine High School and Nooksack Valley High School went on June 10, and Mount Baker Senior High School will finish on June 16.
Options High School graduate Kylee Dutro waves to family members as she exits Civic Stadium after receiving her diploma on June 11. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
