by Greg Lincoln
The Bethel Regional High School Class of 2024 held their graduation last Friday at the Home of the Warriors, the beloved WarriorDome. Fifty-one students walked and received their diplomas on the last stage of their high school journey. These hardworking resilient graduates, here and throughout our state, endured the pandemic – having begun their high school years when covid-19 was raging.
Their class motto, penned by their fellow senior Zachary Chase states, “When life throws you salmonberries, blueberries, or blackberries – make akutaq.”
Friends, family, school faculty, and community members cheered when the soon-to-be graduates marched into the gym as seniors for the last time to the heartrending strains of Pomp and Circumstance.
Mrs. Alicia Miner, Principal of BRHS, gave the welcoming address. The student selected speaker was Ellis Johnson. He was followed by the staff selected speaker, Paul Dyment.
Other special speakers included longtime BRHS teacher Paul Saltzman and a video address from U.S. Representative Mary Peltola of Bethel.
There was not a dry eye in the room during the slideshow. Photos of the seniors as cute tiny babies flashed across the screen followed by their senior photo. Many of the seniors wore their cultural attire and the photos depicted the love they had for their home here on the Kuskokwim River.
The seniors received their diplomas and moved their tassels to signify crossing over from student to graduate. The Bethel Advisory School Board members congratulated each new graduate for a job well done.
As a final farewell, the BRHS Class of 2024 performed an Eskimo Dance, a Yuraq for the audience. Drumming and singing “Anglaniukut Wangkuta” were Piipikan Nanalook and Jacob Carmichael. The audience yelled “pamyua” requesting an extra encore performance.
Mrs. Miner presented the Class of 2024 before the recessional. Grads were greeted and congratulated on the deck where they were showered with gifts, leis, and posed for photos to commemorate their momentous accomplishment.
Thank you to the Class of 2024, we enjoyed following you through your school careers, we wish you the best in all that you aspire to do. Quyana.
Bethel Regional High School
Class of 2024
May 17, 2024
Jesse Adams
Allie Alexie***>∞∆√∑
Austin Amos>
Teveron Atchak
Anna Avalos
Payton Boney*∞
Ashton Boyscout
Emma Charlie
Nelson Charlie>
Amber Chase>
Zachery Chase>
Jason Chief
Emma Daniel***>∆√∑
Paul Dyment*>∞∆
Shania Flemings***√
Brian Guest
Iceis Harpak
Anna Howard*∞√
Hannah Howell
Daniel Jang
Ellis Johnson***∆
Jordan Klejka***∞√∑
Maya Komulainen***∞∆√∑
Tiffany Laraux
Winnie Lee***∆√
Isabel Lieb**∞
Emilie Madson*
Cameron McCarr
Mikah McIntyre>
Aaron Mute
Shauna Nanalook
John Nicholas
Dylan Noes>
Jonathan Oscar
Jeffrey Pavil II>
Drini Pellumbi***∞∆√∑
Vjosa Pellumbi***∞√∑
Geraldine Peltola
Adeline Perry***∞√
Rory Peters**∆
Skyler Sam
Jeremy Thatcher*
Blair Tikiun-Beaver
Greg Turner
Nicholas Twito
Leah Valadez***∞√
Patricio Vasquez
Monica Wassilie*
Kiera Watson*>∞
Katherine Winkelman>
Adil Zulbeari***
*Honors 3.50 GPA – blue cord
**High Honors 3.75 GPA – gold cord
***Top Honors 4.0 GPA – blue and gold cord
>Ayaprun Elitnaurvik Graduate – silver cord
∞National Honor Society – white stole
∆Projected Alaska Performance Scholarship
√ANSEP Acceleration Academy – orange and silver cord
∑UAA Associate’s Degree
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