by Greg Lincoln
The Bethel Regional High School (BRHS) celebrated the graduation of their Class of 2023 last Friday, May 19th, 2023 at the WarriorDome. This generation of students throughout the region (and also our state, country, and the whole world), the Class of 2023, began high school in 2019-2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Perseverance, resilience, enduring hardships, and not giving up paid off, we are proud of your accomplishments.
Their class motto is: We must find a way to look after one another, as if we were one single tribe. -T’Challa.
Seniors of BRHS marched into the gym clad in gowns and mortarboards to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance shortly after the JROTC Color Guard posted the flags of our nation and state. Several graduates wore their Eskimo mukluks, headdresses, and other regalia.
Families of the graduates gathered from near and far to join their loved ones in this momentous milestone.
Special speakers included BRHS Principal Alicia Miner who gave the welcome address. She was was followed by: Student-selected speakers: Mason Fitka and Kendal Herron, staff-selected speaker Mehmet Alimi, and Commencement speaker Miss Amanda O’Boyle.
The Bethel Advisory School Board congratulated the Class of 2023 of BRHS while Ms. Miner presented the diplomas. Miss Kathleen Naneng announced the graduates.
The seniors performed an Eskimo Dance Yuraq for their commencement special before the slideshow. Photos of the graduates as babies were shown, then as young adults – tears of love were shed for the nostalgia and happiness for the seniors. Also recognized were the graduates of the Class of 1973 who celebrated their 50th year graduation anniversary. They were presented with flower bouquets.
Ms. Miner had the honor of presenting the Class of 2023. Everyone tossed their caps into the air to symbolize the end of a chapter in their lives.
2023 BRHS Graduating Class
William Alexie
Mehmet Alimi***∞
Trevor Amik«
Kallie Andrew*«∆
Chenille Ashepak
Tristan Beaver
Taylor Charles
Isidro Dela Cruz*
Dylan Demientieff
Taylor Demientieff
Selena Echuck*∞
Sean Fermoyle
Mason Fitka
Lena Fox
Mathew Fredericks
Bryn Garrison«
Samantha Graf
George Gregory
Ciera Harpak
Kendal Herron***∞√
Joseph Hunter
Shayla Hunter
Bradley Jackson
Anson Jimmie«∆√
Jada Jones
Adilyn Jung
Austin Kirby∆
Jacey Koutchak«
Amanda Kawagley
Caitlin Laraux«∞
Alyssa Motgin«∆
Dalyn Nelson
Asha Nicholai«
Henry Noatak
Charlee Pace
Trinity Pavilla
Makayla Pavilla-Nicholai
Leah Pete
Kayley Pleasant
Tabitha Prince
Erinfaye Sam
Marion Swope***∞∆√
Luca Tony∆
Kiley Twito
Zackariah Wassilie∆
Elenor Whitney***«∞
Nanci Xavier-Samuelson
*Honors 3.50 GPA – blue cord
**High Honors 3.75 GPA – gold cord
***Top High Honors 4.0 GPA – blue and gold cord
«Ayaprun Elitnaurvik graduate – silver cord
∞National Honor Society – white stole
∆ANSEP Program – orange and silver cord
√Projected Alaska Performance Scholarship
Congratulations!
