Kenai teens celebrate time of their lives
Time was of the essence at Kenai Central High School's graduation May 25.
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In the two-and-a-half hour ceremony at the Soldotna Sports Center, the class took time to thank their parents and other family members for supporting them, recognized the time spent by teachers and school staff in preparing them for life beyond high school, reminisced about good times shared among classmates, and perhaps wasted a bit of time performing dance moves after being handed their diplomas.
Commencement speaker Bob Summer, who taught many of the graduates in eighth grade at Kenai Middle School, shared some advice for how the graduates could conduct the abundant amount of time that stretches before them.
"Don't take time for granted," he told them.
"You have a wealth that adults envy."
Several life-changing events, including a near-fatal bout with cancer, have given Summer a different perspective than he had when he was the graduates' age. His new philosophy is that he lives on what he calls "bonus time." Every day, even the less-than-outstanding ones, is an opportunity to make the most of his life.
Chelsea Kaas and Sovala Kisena stand hand in hand, at right, with Maria Meeks while they to receive their diploma during Kenai Central High School's commencement ceremony.
Photo by M. Scott Moon
He had many tips for how seniors could spend their time wisely, including keeping adventure in their lives, not putting things off, slowing down every now and then, surrounding themselves with people who bring out the best in them and finding out who they are.
The commencement address was the high point of the ceremony for Kyle Stanton, who said Summer was one of his favorite teachers. Stanton plans to pursue education himself as a music teacher in the fall through Spokane Falls Community College in Spokane, Wash.
For John Morris, listening to his fellow graduates share their memories, hopes and in some cases attempts at rhyming, was moving.
"It was pretty emotional, (watching the seniors speak), probably because (I was) seeing my peers up there."
Immediately following the class' recessional to Green Day's "Time of Your Life," Morris summed up what he and many of his classmates likely were feeling at that point.
"Excited is about the only thing," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen next."
He plans to move to Arizona and enter an auto mechanic trade school. Beyond that he doesn't know yet, but he'll figure it out all in good time.
Kenai Central High School
Class of 2004
Tasia Lee Allen
Jose Roberto Araya
Danny Lee Autrey
Lillian Phoebe Babcock
Andrew Banas
Nicholas William Barnes
Steven Verdie Blunk
Michael Francis Boyle
Kamela Janine Brewer
Tiffany Ann Button
Stephanie Joy Carew
Amanda Renee Carroll
Cole Chappell
Nadia Marie Cherraj
Joel Kevin Christianson
Wai Ming Joanne Chui
Jacquelyn Deanne Church
Luiz Andre Silva Correa
Lisa Katharina Daum
Alexis Kelalalina DeMello
Andrew Renee Denbrock
Harrison Kofi Deveer
Kenny Lee Dormady
Ryan Ronald Dukowitz
Ryan Elliott
Michael Anthony Foglia
Geoffrey David Gemmell
Amanda Lynne Gifford
Katie Lindsey Hagelund
Shauna Rose Hall
Gregory Elliott Hampton
Travis Hancock
Brittany Lynn Hoskins
Desiree Leigh Huntsman
Phillip Ischi
Krista Deanne Jackson
Chelsea Dayle Kaas
Michael Owen Kent
Derek Killian
Seil Kim
Pat Sovala Kisena Jr.
Gavin Gene Koester-Backstrom
Anna Maria Krismer
Kristen Nicole Lazenby
Justin Robert Lee
Nickolas David Lee
Manuela Leppert
Billy Diamond Loosli
Jacob Michael Madrid
Richard Georgon Main
Mikael Elias Mantynen
Christopher McBride
Bowman Ray McDonald
Cameron Michael McGahan
Heather Amber McIntyre
Mariah Meeks
Melody Ann Miller
Danielle Milliron
Hope Whitney Mishler
Leilani Moffett
Laura Lynne Moore
Christopher Moran
Shelah Anne Moreno-Jones
John Morris
Tyler Jacob Morris
Harris Waco Murrieta
Garrett Daniel Myers
Alexis Sybil Ogle
Anthony Olick Jr.
Wesley David Olson
Kari Jean Palm
Shawna Mae Power
Henry Michael Pungowiyi
Amy Rose Rask
Michael Ray Retone
Breeanna Lee Saltzgiver
Joshua Rael Simenstad
Kristin Nicole Siter
Kyle Daniel Stanton
Bryan Stocks
Lindsey Coralie Taylor
Matthew Ray Travers
Kyle R. Trux
Kalen Michelle Tyson
Rachael Uponen
Melissa Rae Vasilie
Karla Marie Wilson
Hugh Eric Winston
U-nonda Yoopiam