Last week brought a chance for nearly 400 graduates of Redmond high schools to say farewell, share some memories and look forward to the future at annual commencement ceremonies.

The total of 381 Class of 2017 members between Redmond and Ridgeview was down slightly from an unusually high 452 graduating seniors in 2016, but up from 340 in 2015.

Including Redmond Proficiency Academy’s 120 graduates and seven more from Central Christian School, more than 600 students graduated Redmond schools this year.

Redmond

The return of “The Rock” to its rightful place on campus was a recurring theme during Redmond’s 104th June 9 commencement ceremony. Principal Paul Nolan and art teacher Bob Crowe both mentioned the project in their speeches.

Crowe praised the seniors, who moved the rock to the front of the school under cover of night, for having a senior prank in which no one was arrested or hurt, but instead benefited the school. A GoFundMe campaign raised more than $4,500 to place the rock on a pedestal with a new panther statue to replace one that legend says is at the bottom of Lake Billy Chinook.

The 193 Panther graduates also heard inspirational tales from their fellow seniors, including valedictorian Rebekah Cleary. She maintained a 4.3 GPA and will study biohealth at Oregon State University on $114,000 in scholarships.

She said she was able to achieve that success after moving from California after her sophomore year, away from the home, like-minded friends and Christian school and church she’d always known.

“I was left with a choice, I could remain where I always had been or take action to shape my future,” she said. “I chose the latter and left California and transferred to Redmond High, with the vague goal that college would be a possibility, and only a possibility, because my past had led me to believe I was not capable of such a feat. However, in my two years here, I have grown and discovered my passion for science and learned to embrace change as a stimulant to progress.”

Salutatorian Dana Wanamaker joked that she didn’t know how to spell “salutatorian,” which probably explained why she wasn’t valedictorian. She maintained a 4.2 GPA while running track and cross country and being a band member. She plans to study psychology at Corban University in Salem.

While admitting to being the “nice one” and a “band geek,” Wanamaker warned against being quick to stereotype people.

“Because don’t people deserve to be more than a specific category, more than a label and more than an assumption?” she asked. “What would happen if you just dropped all the stereotypes, all the preconceived notions of different races, religions, genders and sexualities, social classes, political parties and everything else? What if we stopped viewing others through filters and accepted them as who they truly are? Because a person’s identity is based on more than just their outward appearance or a hobby or a perception.”

Ridgeview

The 188 students in Ridgeview’s fourth graduating class maintained a strong look toward the future.

Redmond School District Superintendent Mike McIntosh told the students to not just live, love and laugh, but to leave a legacy.

“Many of you are going off to college, many of you are going off to the military, many of you are going off to work, many of you don’t have a clue where you’re going — that’s OK, most of you are 18, you’ve got plenty of time,” he said.

Faculty speaker Steve Reeves was more direct, telling students to simply “leave” — whether literally or figuratively.

“Don’t worry, everything will still be here when you get back,” he said. “It is you who will have changed.”

Reeves related to the seniors because he felt insecure when he started teaching at Ridgeview their freshman year, he said. He advised them to surround themselves with family (blood relatives or not) who challenge them, and also to get outside, even if they can’t climb mountains or shred mountain bikes, and to love selflessly.

Salutatorian Kalie Anderson paid tribute to her aunt, who planned to attend the graduation but died in April. She encouraged other graduates to make the most of their lives.

“Get off your parents’ couches and put down the bag of chips, and go out and live your life” Anderson said. “It is too short, so make something, do something and try something.”

Valedictorian Emma Poindexter walked in to Ridgeview as a shy 14-year-old, but went on to become a cheerleader and National Honor Society member, she said. The opportunities the school provided allowed her to come out of her shell and discover who she truly is.

Ridgeview continued its tradition of awarding an honorary diploma to someone who wasn’t able to obtain one. David Fair, of La Pine, dropped out of high school in 1968 and entered the Army at 17. He initially served as a medic in Korea because he was too young for combat before transferring to Vietnam on his 18th birthday. He eventually retired to Oregon and worked as a security officer and is now a member of the Redmond Area Band of Brothers.

“Every job I ever had, my GED was good enough, but, for me, I felt incomplete without (a diploma),” Fair said in a video that aired during the ceremony. “Having the opportunity means a lot.”

— Reporter: 541-548-2186, gfolsom@redmondspokesman.com