This weekend, artists open their galleries. Personalities from music, radio and sports play golf for the island’s non-profits. Some of the best runners in the region compete in the island marathon.
But beginning Saturday, the real celebrities — at least to their families and friends — will be those sitting on stage in caps and gowns.
Some 170 islanders graduate from local high schools and Skagit Valley College in ceremonies planned this weekend and next week. The graduation ceremonies are open to the public.
The graduates are profiled in a 32-page special section in the June 2 Journal of the San Juan Islands.
The commencement ceremonies have traditionally been a mix of emotion and sentimentality with a touch of drama: A major life accomplishment, a rite of passage into adulthood, and the announcement of several hundred thousand dollars worth of scholarships.
June 5
Spring Street International School salutes its 16 graduates on Saturday, 2 p.m., in the San Juan Community Theatre. Alexandra Han Freeman is valedictorian; she will attend Colorado College this fall.
Across the water, OASIS High School’s graduation is Saturday, 2 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Eastsound. Sherri DeRaimo is valedictorian; she will attend Edmonds Community College this fall. Eleven students will receive diplomas; five completed their GEDs.
June 10
Skagit Valley College San Juan Center presents associate’s degrees to six students June 10, 2 p.m., at San Juan Center. Two graduates are Running Start students receiving high school diplomas and degrees. Jennifer Bordi, recipient of the college’s President’s Medal, will be student speaker. She will attend Western Washington University this fall.
June 11
Orcas Christian School presents diplomas to its nine graduates at June 11, 5 p.m., in the school gym.
June 12
Lopez Island High School presents diplomas to 20 seniors at June 12, 2 p.m. in the school gym. There are five co-valedictorians: Lyra Wrenn Dalton, Helen Haley O’Brien, Laura Evelyn Strom, Tamira Rose Vojnar, and Tahoma Orion Westervelt Wrubleski.
The co-valedictorians are headed to, respectively, Whitman College, University of Victoria, Middlebury College, Bowdoin College, and University of San Francisco.
Orcas High School presents diplomas to 22 graduates June 12, 2 p.m., in the school gym. Taylor Diepenbrock is valedictorian; he will attend William and Mary College this fall.
Friday Harbor High School has 80 graduates this year. Commencement is June 12, 5 p.m., in Turnbull Gym. Hannah Snow is valedictorian; she will attend University of Washington’s Honors Program this fall.
June 13
Griffin Bay School graduates seven of its students June 13, 12:30 p.m., in the Friday Harbor Middle School Commons.
