Grads ‘soak up the sun,’ despite wettest ceremony in years

After a high school experience like theirs, nothing can stop the class of 2024 — including a downpour of rain.

Graduates of Bainbridge and Eagle Harbor high schools walked across the stage June 15, braving “the wettest ceremony in the past eight years,” public information officer Erin Bischoff said. Despite the douse of Washington Sunshine, attendees and graduates agree the future looks bright.

“As we move forward with our futures at our fingertips, let us strive to do the next impossible thing,” said valedictorian Kate Hansen, who was honored twice for her academic achievements by the state, as well as the National Honor Society and National Merit Scholar program.

288 BHS students and 24 students from EHHS received their diplomas that afternoon. 86 were members of the National Honor Society, 15 earned valedictorian, 20 were recognized for achievements in visual and performing arts, and 23 earned the Seal of Biliteracy.

Academics were not the only characteristic of the graduating class. While the majority of students chose to attend a four-year university, 18 planned to pursue an associate’s or technical degree, 30 planned to take a gap year or join the workforce right away, and five chose to enlist in the military.

High achievement of all stripes defined the class, BHS principal Kristina Rodgers said. “Graduates, you are our future, and these stories and all of the others tell the real tale of all the goodness and positive energy that you are already putting out into the universe,” Rodgers said. “Thank you for being inspirational and inclusive, engaged and energetic, and so uniquely you.”

x̌alilc alumnae in the class are the final students who can say their first-grade teacher was the superintendent. “I have so many special memories of our time together, when you were at the start of your educational journey—as curious, energetic and joyful six and seven-year-olds,” superintendent Amii Thompson said to her former students at the ceremony. “It’s such a gift for me to be here today for the complimentary bookend to your K-12 career.”

Between speeches, student musicians and band members performed classics like “Interstate Love Song” by Stone Temple Pilots, “Slipping Through My Fingers” by ABBA and “Soak up the Sun” by Sheryl Crow, all while wearing rainproof ponchos.

A rainy day was far from the graduates’ only trial or tribulation: this class endured online schooling their freshman year (2020-21) and lost two classmates, Marina Miller and Hazel Kleiner, in a car crash in March 2021. The tragedy marked the class, but student leadership emphasized that the experience created a deep bond as well.

“We mourned together, our collective heartache bringing us closer and teaching us the value of life and importance of community,” Cadence Diercks said. “It’s safe to say that [these girls’] influence has touched every corner of our community, transforming us in ways we may not fully comprehend. The lessons learned from this extend far beyond the confines of textbooks and classrooms; we’ve learned the true significance of extending a helping hand to others.”

In honor of Miller and Kleiner, senior class officer Teagan Krog shared a brief memoir of both girls and asked for a “moment of celebration” in place of silence in their memory; attendees rose and cheered during a brief respite from the rain.

Connection was front of mind for graduates; nearly every student speaker thanked the community for its support. “The community of Bainbridge Island is a group of people like no other. We islanders are always willing to help out a neighbor and come together in our darkest times,” said Maxwell Richards, senior class officer. “Thank you for all the efforts you’ve put into raising us and watching us grow – we could not have done it without you.”