Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Each graduate offers speech to classmates
The six members of the Harrington Class of 2023 take the stage at graduation Friday, June 2
Taleha Davenport offers her sentiments during graduation Friday, June 2.
Allie Crawford poses with family members after receiving her diploma at graduation Friday, June 2.
The Harrington Class of 2023 fires confetti cannons after officially graduating high school Friday, June 2.
Karter Brown shakes hands with school board members after receiving their high school diploma Friday, June 2.
HARRINGTON - One unique element of a small school graduation is that there's enough time in an hour-plus for each graduate to offer a speech. That was the case at Harrington High School's graduation Friday, June 2, which featured six local seniors receiving their diplomas and thanking those who helped get them to that point.
This year's graduates included Karter Brown, Allie Crawford, Annika Walters, Alaina Parker, Ethan Gravning and Taleaha Davenport.
After the six took the stage through a processional accompanied by the Harrington Marching Band's rendition of "Pomp and Circumstance," the band played the National Anthem before Crawford offered an invocation.
Principal Tiffany Clouse introduced the class, who then each took the mic for a speech thanking family, classmates, friends and teachers.
Brown, the class valedictorian, gave the first word.
"When writing the book of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen," Brown offered for a senior quote.
Salutatorian Crawford was next.
"If today, you are a little bit better than yesterday, then that's enough," Crawford said to conclude her speech. "And if you're a little better tomorrow than you were today, then that's enough."
Walters was third on the stand to give remarks.
"No one decides my fate but me," Walters quoted. "Life is short, the world is wide and I want to make some memories."
Parker gave the advice of "sometimes the right path is not the easiest one."
Gravning asked Davenport to read his speech for him, wherein he thanked his family before Davenport spoke of each of her classmates.
Commencement Justin Ikehara gave the next message, offering the Class of 2023 four tips for future success: "Never, ever" stop learning, learn from mistakes and keep going, leave the "high school drama in high school" and "be humble."
Dawn Craig announced the scholarships, which included two continuing scholarships of $1,500 from the Alumni Association to alumni Caroline Slack and Kate Bouchard and a new scholarship of that amount to Brown.
Davenport received full tuition to the institution of her choice through the National Guard, while Parker received a full tuition waiver through the Washington State College Board.
Brown received a bevy of scholarships, including but not limited to a Gonzaga access pledge, Gonzaga grant, pell grant, college-bound scholarship, Harrington Booster Club scholarship, PTA scholarship, Harrington Homemakers scholarship, Chamber of Commerce scholarship and Lions Club scholarship.
Graduates received at least $58,548 in scholarships and grants.
The graduates then received their diplomas from superintendent John Cordell, Clouse and school board members Justin Slack, Darren Mattozzi, Mark Kramer and Shelley Quigley before the recessional.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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