The first day of May is a nerve-wracking deadline for high school seniors, since it is the last day they can accept offers of admission for colleges and still enroll for fall classes.
White Pass Junior and Senior High School turned that deadline into a celebration of its graduating senior class and their future plans with a school-wide assembly, complete with a commencement speaker, personalized certificates and a red carpet to walk down.
“That’s kind of my take on the opening ceremony of the Olympics,” said Maureen Foley, director of the school’s chapter of Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP).
The competitive federal program provides six- and seven-year grants to state governments, schools and other education-focused partnerships to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
GEAR UP services begin in middle school, guiding students and families through the early years of college preparation, including the academic, social, emotional and financial aspects of preparation, according to a statement on White Pass Junior/Senior High School’s website.
White Pass’ middle school students were involved in Monday’s celebration, carrying signs denoting graduating seniors’ post-secondary program of choice down the red carpet spread across the school’s gym.
Of the 39 graduating seniors, eight plan to immediately enter the workforce, three plan to enter into military service and 28 plan to pursue a degree or certification at a post-secondary school.
“This is the largest class we’ve had in quite some time,” Foley said Monday.
Regardless of their post-graduation plans, the event’s commencement speaker, Trisha Newport, encouraged the seniors to continue learning.
“I don’t want to take away from this huge accomplishment and this major life milestone, but I want to be here to tell you today about why it’s really important to be a lifelong learner,” Newport said.
A former financial advisor to Gov. Jay Inslee and the current senior director of budget and strategies for the state Department of Corrections, Newport talked the graduating seniors through the twists and turns her career has taken and how her commitment to being a lifelong learner has benefited her in her life and career.
“Being a lifelong learner isn’t always easy. It requires a willingness to admit your mistakes, a commitment to taking risks and the humility to learn from others. You have to be willing to step outside your comfort zone and embrace new challenges.”
Located in Randle, White Pass Junior/Senior High School serves students grades seven through 12 of Glenoma, Randle and Packwood.
For more information on the school’s chapter of GEAR UP, visit https://www.whitepass.k12.wa.us/o/white-pass-jr-high-and-sr-high/page/gear-up.
