Graduation marks beginning of next chapter for 2023 grads

Friday Harbor was a busy place this weekend with three seperate high school graduation ceremonies occuring either Friday, June 9 or Saturday, June 10.

Eight students graduated from Griffin Bay High School, 16 students graduated from Spring Street International School, and 66 high school seniors graduated from Friday Harbor High School.

During the 111th Commencement of the Friday Harbor High School, over $304k was given out in scholarships, and a slideshow with student’s photos ranging from baby photos to current photos was shared with the standing-room only crowd at Turnbull Gym.

Following graduation, members of the Friday Harbor High School ‘Class of 2023’ celebrated their graduation with a ride through the downtown streets of Friday Harbor before heading to multiple “Top Secret” locations throughout the night.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok / Staff photo Friday Harbor High School seniors Ariana Tucker-Belt, Sofia Duke, Elisabeth Furber, and Meg Carrier smile for the camera as they prepare to graduate from Friday Harbor High School.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok / staff photo
Friday Harbor High school seniors Lily Rock and Fela Andrews enter the Turnbull Gym in procession as they prepare to take their seats for graduation.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok / Staff photo Cody Balcomb-Bartok and Shelby Mullin proceed down the center aisle towards the stage of the 111th Commencement of the Friday Harbor High School, with a saying credited to Confucius over their heads: “Wherever You Go, Go With All Your Heart”

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok / Saff photo The Class of 2023 takes to the stage for the 111th Friday Harbor High School Commencement ceremony held June 10, 2023.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok / Staff photo ASB President Aryana Berube welcomes the audience and shares some history about her fellow graduating seniors. Berube says she plans to get a Master’s Degree then volunteer teaching english and traveling. She says her dream career would be working in foreign affairs with an environmental standpoint.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok / Staff photo Co-Valedictorian Ari Tucker-Belt speaks of resilience to the graduating Class of 2023 seniors. Tucker-Belt plans to attend the University of Michigan School of Kineseology and work towards a doctorate in physical therapy.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok / Staff photo Co-Valedictorian Islay Ross shares her love of her fellow classmates, speaking of togetherness before the Class of 2023 graduates and heads off to explore the world. Ross plans to go to college and looks forward to making art, working and spending time with her friends.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok / sSaff photo Co-Valedictorian Zachary Place accepts a scholarship during the 2023 Friday Harbor High School Commencement ceremonies. Place is headed to Southern California to attend UCI, majoring in biochemistry.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok / Staff photo FHHS Senior Larissa Mauldin accepts a scholarship from Becky Day, Director of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce. Mauldin plans on going to Central Washington University and majoring in education.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok / Staff photo Friday Harbor High School senior Gleb Caireac receives his diploma and is congratulated by Superintendent Fred Woods. Caireac will be studying business and communications at Western Washington next year.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok / Staff photo Friday Harbor High School senior Danielle McKay is congratulated by Superintendent Fred Woods as she receives her high school diploma. McKay is headed to Central Washington University to study exercise science.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok / staff photo
San Juan County Sheriff's Deputy Nick Wainwright led the bus containing the Friday Harbor High School graduates as they drove through downtown Friday Harbor with honking horns, sirens, and flashing lights.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok / Staff photo The entire graduating Class of 2023 paraded through downtown Friday Harbor on their way to an overnight Grad Party experience at several “Top Secret” locations throughout the islands.