Their interests vary from business to psychology to sustainable living to architecture.
But they all have one thing in common: they can mark high school graduation among their accomplishments.
OASIS school celebrated 12 new seniors at its commencement ceremony on June 5: Fernando Arevalo, Arthur Brand, Alex Brown, (valedictorian) Sheri DeRaimo, Britney Dufour, Connor Pamatian, Berry Sharp, (salutorian) Erik Sherman, Adam Thomas, Alaina Vedder, Andrew Vordros, and Kieran Zoeller.
Many of the students spoke to the crowd of family, friends, and teachers that spilled out of Emmanuel Parish Hall and onto the lawn. They all thanked teachers Marta Branch and Jill Sherman for their enthusiasm and dedication.
“It is impossible not to graduate with people like Jill Sherman and Marta Branch,” said Vedder, who the day before graduation was “determined” not to see it through. “But 126 math pages later, I’m here.”
Valedictorian DeRaimo said, “So many people told me I wouldn’t graduate – I proved them wrong.” She applauded her fellow graduates, telling them, “Earning your diploma is hard. Everyone who is here deserves it.”
OASIS, which stands for Orcas Alternative Student Initiated Studies, is part of the Orcas School District. As superintendent/high school principal Barbara Kline said, it allows kids to “sensibly and purposefully choose their programs.” Some of the students earned their GEDs, while most received a high school diploma.
Janet Brownell said that attending the OASIS graduation was one of the best things she gets to do as a school board member.
“We are so desperately proud,” she said.
Brownell read a letter from Gov. Christine Gregoire, who was invited to the ceremony. “Dream big, work hard, and never sell yourself short” and have “thoughtful minds and intelligent hearts” was among her advice.
Branch called her students “pioneers” of the OASIS program; some of the kids have been working with her since the 8th grade, while others started just this year.
“You are the type of learners who make me a better teacher, and the type of adults who make the world a better place,” she said.
