The 192 seniors who graduated from W.F. West High School on Saturday have already achieved significant success: 100% of them have been accepted to a post-secondary program and between them they have amassed over $3.3 million in scholarships.
Graduates’ friends, family and members of their community filled the Bearcat Stadium bleachers on Saturday to celebrate the students’ achievements and offer words of support as they each prepared to embark on their next adventures.
“Seniors, you get to leave tonight with a diploma and knowledge that you faced down a pandemic to graduate from high school. You met this challenge with determination, creativity and resilience. You are an inspiration to us all,” said Superintendent Christine Maloney during Saturday’s commencement ceremony, where she formally certified each graduate's diploma.
“I truly believe that no class will ever be as grateful as ours to have made it to our senior year,” said senior Ava Olsen during Saturday’s commencement ceremony.
“Aside from what we learned in the classroom, I believe we've learned things much greater: We've gained the ability to foster new relationships in times that seemed extremely difficult, but also in the times, we needed those new relationships the most.”
Beyond their academic achievements, individual students were recognized with department and faculty awards for their hard work, dedication and positive attitudes throughout their careers in the Chehalis School District.
