By Anna V. Smith
Journal reporter
Open-hearted, passionate, gregarious, intent; these are just a few of the words used to describe the 16 students that graduated from Spring Street International School June 13. The graduation highlighted two elements that stand out most about the school; its academic achievements and its dedication to fostering personal growth.
The graduation took place at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church, with six graduating cum laude and seven graduating magna cum laude. All told, the 16 earned a little under $1 million in merit aid from their colleges and scholarships. Head of School Louis Prussack presented three scholarships from local organizations: Fiona Small received $3,000 from Island Artisans to continue her work in fine arts, Isabella Bledsoe received a San Juan Island Service Scholarship for $1,000 for her work in the community, and Valedictorian Brodie Miller received $10,000 from the Bishop-Fleet Foundation.
As is tradition at SSIS graduation, one word was bestowed upon each student by faculty Heather June and Jeff Smith, accompanied by a short anecdote of how they exemplify the word, as well as a music piece by Grisha Krivchenia. Many of the anecdotes touched on moments from class trips in the Cascades, India, Spain, Ethiopia and more.
Kate Cjaza played a musical interlude on an acoustic guitar that she had written. The lyrics tied in well with Louis Prussack’s speech about the important role of new generations, urging them to hold tight to the perspective that can by gained from walking in others’ shoes.
This year’s graduating class had two valedictorians, Quinn Freedman who will attend Swarthmore College, and Brodie Miller, who will attend Middlebury College to study economics and arabic. In his speech Miller spoke for many of the students there when he said: “I for one, am not the same person I was when I started here.” Miller also gave a shout out to the international students from Rwanda, China and Vietnam who were graduating. The graduation also featured a senior slideshow, put together by Kate Cjaza and Zula Mucyo, showing baby photos to present day. The commencement address was presented by Ian Boyden, executive director of SJI Museum of Art. Boyden urged the students to continue with open minds when entering college and beyond, even if they thought they already knew what they wanted to study or where they wanted to go. As he put it, “coexist with the surprise of the self.”
Although the graduates are spreading out to go to their respective colleges and careers, Spring Street has prepared them well to lean in to the future with open hearts and minds. Congratulations class of 2015!
