OPA hosts outside graduation ceremony

Six honored for Class of 2020

By Matthew Nash • June 17, 2020 1:30 am
Olympic Peninsula Academy celebrated its high school graduates on June 12 with, from left, Lily Engeset, Emily Nielsen, Hope Glasser, Gianna Halo, Samantha White, and Silas Thomas participating in a special outdoor ceremony at the Sequim School District stadium’s parking lot. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash
Olympic Peninsula Academy celebrated its high school graduates on June 12 with, from left, Lily Engeset, Emily Nielsen, Hope Glasser, Gianna Halo, Samantha White, and Silas Thomas participating in a special outdoor ceremony at the Sequim School District stadium’s parking lot. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash

As family and friends watched and listened in from their cars, six Olympic Peninsula Academy high school graduates-to-be held a special graduation ceremony from the Sequim School District’s stadium parking lot on June 12.

Sequim seniors Lily Engeset, Hope Glasser, Gianna Halo, Emily Nielsen, Silas Thomas and Samantha White were honored for graduating despite physical distancing guidelines in place for COVID-19.

The traditional graduation elements were there with the “Pomp and Circumstance” march, students sharing commencement speeches, and tassel turns.

“We couldn’t do the traditional graduation, but I think this is better than anything we would have done,” said Engeset prior to the ceremony.

OPA is an alternative learning program supporting homeschool students offered through the Sequim School District.

Engeset said she attended OPA for seven years and plans to attend Western Washington University; she’s considering studies in botany. Glasser went to OPA for six years and intends to pursue a portion of an education degree at Peninsula College and play basketball at the Port Angeles school.

Halo went to OPA her whole school career and is considering college after high school.

Nielsen also attended OPA her whole academic career and plans to join the workforce after school.

Thomas attended OPA for 10 years and intends to pursue a bachelor’s degree in exercise science/pre-physical therapy from Becker College in Worcester, Mass., where he’ll also play baseball.

White went to OPA for 11 years and plans to attend Kingston Community College in the fall; she’s undecided on a major.

Graduate-to-be Lily Engeset waves to family and friends during the “Pomp and Circumstance” march on June 12. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Graduate-to-be Lily Engeset waves to family and friends during the “Pomp and Circumstance” march on June 12. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Gianna Halo, at podium, was one of six Olympic Peninsula Academy students to speak and be honored for graduating on June 12 at an outdoor ceremony. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Gianna Halo, at podium, was one of six Olympic Peninsula Academy students to speak and be honored for graduating on June 12 at an outdoor ceremony. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Visitors of Olympic Peninsula Academy’s graduation parked their cars to watch Olympic Peninsula Academy’s Class of 2020. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Visitors of Olympic Peninsula Academy’s graduation parked their cars to watch Olympic Peninsula Academy’s Class of 2020. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Many cars had signs and writings celebrating Olympic Peninsula Academy’s Class of 2020. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Many cars had signs and writings celebrating Olympic Peninsula Academy’s Class of 2020. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Lily Engeset, at podium, was one of six Olympic Peninsula Academy students to speak and be honored for graduating on June 12 at an outdoor ceremony. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Lily Engeset, at podium, was one of six Olympic Peninsula Academy students to speak and be honored for graduating on June 12 at an outdoor ceremony. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash