After a number of academic years darkened by a pandemic, Sequim High seniors have plenty of reason to celebrate — and “be a light” — on Friday evening.

SHS’s 2022 graduation ceremony on June 10 saw about 175 seniors turn their tassels, the first class since the COVID pandemic to complete their final prep year with in-person classes.

“There’s much we’ve seen her in these short years,” class-elected speaker Lily Fili said.

“We’re constantly worried about tomorrow or the next day after that. But today is our day all of us.”

This year’s graduates have plenty of financial support for their next steps, with nearly $4 million in scholarships and grants — about $400,000 from local clubs and organizations.

“You had to endure four tumultuous years of masks, remote learning, hybrid schedules and staying six feet apart,” Sequim High principal Shawn Langston noted.

“It’s a joy to see so many students with their friends. Hold tight to those good friends that you have.”

Langston encouraged this year’s class to “be a light” in all things and highlighted a number of students — including Drew McDonald, Riley Pyeatt, Connor Bear, Kenneth Wolfley, Reece Robinson, Koda Robinson, Lauren Sundin and the school’s Interact Club members — who were doing that during their years at SHS.

“Wherever you go, whatever you do: be a light. Be the most positive person you can be,” Langston encouraged.

“Be a light by brightening a room when you enter, not when you leave.”

The 2022 SHS U-Turn award winner was Kaidence Cary, who received the honor — and a $1,000 scholarship — that was developed by former Sequim high teacher Bill O’Brien to celebrate a student who had made a significant change (for the good) in their high school path.

“I was so impressed with what she had to say,” Langston said in presenting the award. “I basically asked her, ‘Why the change?’ Her answer was mature, thoughtful and most important, so empathetic. She said she realized she was being so mean to people because she was personally hurting inside.

“And also realized that other people must be hurting as well. And poof, you have the lovely lady standing before you now.”

Sequim High also heard from its eight valedictorians — Cassidy Crecelius, Hannah Hampton, Henry Hughes, Malory Morey, Madelyn Pickens, Koda Robinson, Rileigh Van Dyken and Jack VanDeWege — who collectively took time to celebrate individual classmates and the impacts they made.

Staff-elected speaker Alisa Bibaj encouraged her fellow graduates to speak up for themselves, not be afraid of failure and to put in the work for what they want in life.

“You need to sacrifice in order to gain,” Bibaj said. “Nothing is easy in life if you want quality.”

Teacher Derek Vander Velde, who inaugurated a new SHS graduation ceremony tradition as its first staff speaker, quoted Martin Luther King Jr.: “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl … but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”

Said Vander Velde, “That’s exactly what you’ve done.

“[You] built a new normal… in those times, you did not give up. You dug in, showed your grit tenacity, and sheer determination and never surrendered.

“If global pandemic couldn’t stop you from pressing forward, then nothing else will.”

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell Under sprinkling skies, Sequim High’s Class of 2022 celebrates their graduation on June 10. About 175 seniors received their diplomas Friday evening.

Staff-elected speaker Alisa Bibaj offers her thoughts at Sequim High School’s Class of 2022 graduation.

Sequim High graduate-to-be Lily Fili takes a selfie with SHS counselor Sarah Thorson at the start of the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony on June 10. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

Sequim High grad-to-be Abram Yeater and classmates find their seats at the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony.

Sequim High School graduating senior Abigail Carlson shares a lighthearted moment with SHS principal Shawn Langston, right, at SHS’s Class of 2022 graduation.

Sequim High graduates-to-be (from left) Kariya Johnson, Kaitlyn Sweeney, Kenneth Wolfley and Henry Hughes sign the National Anthem to kick off the SHS 2022 graduation ceremony on June 10.