Selah Academy graduates ten
http://www.selahnews.com/articles/269/1/Selah-Academy-graduates-ten-/Page1.html
Martha Goudey
By Martha Goudey
Published on 06/11/2008
Eight graduates were present Monday to receive their diplomas at Selah Academy’s graduation ceremony at the Civic Center.
Pictured: Jorge Denson receives his diploma from Selah School Board Member Jim Sebree, as Selah Academy Principal, Scott Ruark, looks on. Denson plans to go into the Navy after graduation. Denson has a wife and four-month-old baby. Martha Goudey photo.
Pictured: Jorge Denson receives his diploma from Selah School Board Member Jim Sebree, as Selah Academy Principal, Scott Ruark, looks on. Denson plans to go into the Navy after graduation. Denson has a wife and four-month-old baby. Martha Goudey photo.
Eight graduates were present Monday to receive their diplomas at Selah Academy’s graduation ceremony at the Civic Center.
“Tonight is to honor people for where they came from, and where they are headed,” said Selah Academy Principal Scott Ruark.
“Some of these people have been working 40 hours a week, have been living on their own, have been raising children,” he said.
No matter what they were doing, or where they lived, they continued to come to school, he said.
“They have the skills they need to succeed,” he said.
“Committed to find a way to get it done,” was how English teacher, Kristin Morrison described graduate Brandy Butler. “She’s a strong young lady.”
Ashley Call had a full plate, but never complained, Morrison said.
Call worked full-time, attended college classes, and was raising a child, while completing her high school work.
Coty Corral, ASB secretary this year, was always willing to step up and help no matter what needed to be done, Morrison said.
Jorge Denson went to military school to straighten out his life and then returned to the Selah Academy.
“He went through an amazing transformation,” Morrison said.
Denson is a teen father, went to night school, and is now going into the navy.
“He’s doing what he needs to do,” Morrison said. “He’s taking care of his family.”
Rigoberto Escalara-Tamayo also worked full-time and took care of his wife and baby, while finishing school.
“These two men are the best representation of a teen father I’ve ever seen,” Morrison said. “They stepped up and have taken responsibility.”
Bridgette Fouts is “all it, all the way,” Morrison said. “She would ask, ‘what do I need to do?’ say, ‘I can’t do it,’ and then just get it done.”
Science teacher Jim Landon said Fouts had been a “wild child,” but had enlisted in the National Guard and had chosen a career.
Landon said that watching Liliana Redmond was like watching a flower unfold.
“And she officially became a science nerd,” Landon said.
Redmond plans to pursue a nursing career.
Landson said that although Holly Huntington changed her hair color so frequently he wasn’t sure if had a new student in class, he said she would have a successful life.
The ceremony ended with the graduates receiving their diplomas. Two students, Andrew Ferguson and Melissa Raymond, also graduated, but were not present at the ceremony.
“Tonight is to honor people for where they came from, and where they are headed,” said Selah Academy Principal Scott Ruark.
“Some of these people have been working 40 hours a week, have been living on their own, have been raising children,” he said.
No matter what they were doing, or where they lived, they continued to come to school, he said.
“They have the skills they need to succeed,” he said.
“Committed to find a way to get it done,” was how English teacher, Kristin Morrison described graduate Brandy Butler. “She’s a strong young lady.”
Ashley Call had a full plate, but never complained, Morrison said.
Call worked full-time, attended college classes, and was raising a child, while completing her high school work.
Coty Corral, ASB secretary this year, was always willing to step up and help no matter what needed to be done, Morrison said.
Jorge Denson went to military school to straighten out his life and then returned to the Selah Academy.
“He went through an amazing transformation,” Morrison said.
Denson is a teen father, went to night school, and is now going into the navy.
“He’s doing what he needs to do,” Morrison said. “He’s taking care of his family.”
Rigoberto Escalara-Tamayo also worked full-time and took care of his wife and baby, while finishing school.
“These two men are the best representation of a teen father I’ve ever seen,” Morrison said. “They stepped up and have taken responsibility.”
Bridgette Fouts is “all it, all the way,” Morrison said. “She would ask, ‘what do I need to do?’ say, ‘I can’t do it,’ and then just get it done.”
Science teacher Jim Landon said Fouts had been a “wild child,” but had enlisted in the National Guard and had chosen a career.
Landon said that watching Liliana Redmond was like watching a flower unfold.
“And she officially became a science nerd,” Landon said.
Redmond plans to pursue a nursing career.
Landson said that although Holly Huntington changed her hair color so frequently he wasn’t sure if had a new student in class, he said she would have a successful life.
The ceremony ended with the graduates receiving their diplomas. Two students, Andrew Ferguson and Melissa Raymond, also graduated, but were not present at the ceremony.