Lind-Ritzville grads net over $396,000 in scholarships

Amongst the large crowd packed into Gilson Gymnasium on June 2, 40 individuals proudly stood out as they took a step towards their future after receiving their diploma from Lind-Ritzville High School.

Family and friends gathered in the gym, with nearly standing room only, to celebrate the achievements of the local scholars and recognize them for their individual and collective success.

The 40 LRHS graduates received a collective $396,393 in scholarships to pursue their future careers.

The individual list of scholarships and awards were read during the ceremony, as well as speeches from class Valedictorian Emma Aldrich and Salutatorian Peyton Curtis.

Mike Miller served as the guest speaker for the ceremony, providing insight in the changes through the generations of learning, as well as the potential to succeed in the future for the young students.

Aldrich began her valedictorian address with a quote from Theodore Roosevelt regarding the credit of an individual is found in those who struggle and ultimately fail, learning both victory and defeat.

She shared stories of the classrooms, and advice from teachers that may have ultimately sounded “crazy” initially, but ultimately has rang true.

She concluded her speech, saying, “The best of us find something that ignites our souls, and we devote ourselves to that cause, our purpose, with all that we are. Though the class of 2018 may not know what our great devotions are yet, we do know this: we will be unafraid to dare greatly in our pursuits.

“Therefore, on this humble occasion, I believe we deserve partial credit. We have studied, stumbled, and strived together for thirteen years, but our time in the arena is far from over.

“We have lives to live and a world to conquer, and it is up to each of us to ensure that our place ‘shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.’

“So today we celebrate the credit we have earned with those who have led us here. But tomorrow—yes, tomorrow—we keep fighting the good fight,” she concluded.

Curtis spoke next, highlighting the top 10 things she learned during her high school career.

Curtis’ top 10 list included: senioritis is real, don’t let schooling get in the way of your education, don’t let the fear of failure get in the way of taking chances, don’t worry about what others may think of you, students will remember the relationships created with staff far more than any submit matter, kindness matters, it’s up to you to find your own purpose and meaning in life, life is short and time passes quickly, and it is okay to agree to disagree.

“And finally No. 1, graduation is not an end point but just the start of our journey,” Curtis said. “We are at an exciting time in our life.

“Tomorrow is a new day, an incredible opportunity. We get to choose our next steps in life. So, be patient, look for ways to impact other people’s lives but don’t be afraid of taking the wrong first step.

“I’m excited to see what the future holds for you Class of 2018. Now is the time to decide what to be, and go be it!”

Following Curtis’ address, Miller focused his speech on the changes between his generation and the one of the graduates. He stated this new and changing world around them is something older generations simply do not understand.

Miller made comparisons of communication, such as newspapers and network TV, while today’s generation has Internet and Facebook.

During his youth, Miller said he was quiet and reserved, but as he became older, his horizons widened and he had more opportunities.

Miller explained this is the graduates’ turn to speak, to go out into the world and make their mark. As the world continually changes, this new generation has a handle on what is happening around them.

“You will have the opportunity to change things and make things better. We are making things different, and you will have the chance to fix all of our mistakes and make sense of this change.”

Miller concluded the speech by encouraging the graduates to remain true to their individualism, tell their own story, choose their future electives wisely, and always give back.

Aldrich individually netted $257,650 in scholarships. Her scholarships included $1,000 Urquhart Memorial Scholarship, $900 PEO Chapter AR, $500 Bronc Booster, $750 Lind Lions Club, $1,000 RHS/LRHS Alumni Association, $500 Ritzville Education Association, $1,000 Washington State Coaches Association and $252,000 Washington and Lee Scholarship.

Curtis accumulated $14,650 in scholarships for her future education. She received the $2,000 RDO Equipment Scholarship, $900 PEO Chapter AR, $1,000 Grant County Cattlemen’s Association, $500 Bronc Booster, $1,000 Frances G Ray Scholarship, $1,000 RHS/LRHS Alumni Association, $4,000 Cal-Poly Green and Gold Scholarship, $1,000 Ritzville Warehouse Scholarship, $1,500 Washington Cattle Feeders Association, $250 Moses Lake Education Association, $500 Vocational Agricultural Scholarship and $1,000 Lind-Ritzville FFA Alumni Scholarship.

Camden Smith netted $8,700 in scholarships. He received $1,000 Phillips Family Foundation, $500 Lind Chamber of Commerce, $500 Bronc Boosters, $1,000 Frances G Ray Scholarship, $1,000 RHS/LRHS Alumni Association, $500 John Dugger Ag Mechanics Scholarship, $1,000 Ritzville Warehouse Scholarship, $1,000 Lind Alumni, $200 Washington State Potatoes Commission, $1,500 Western Washington University Scholarship and $500 Highline Grain Growers.

Cameron Weber received $12,956 in scholarship funds from the University of Idaho.

Jack Anderson netted $10,800 in scholarships, with $300 from the Lind Education Association, $10,000 from the Northwest Faculty Scholarship renewable up to four years, and $500 from the Northwest Visit Scholarship.

Tara Tellefson received a $1,000 Nile Scholarship and $500 RHS/LRHS Alumni Association Scholarship.

Megan Buriak earned $500 American Legion, $300 Mary C. Pierce Talent Award, an Emanuel Lutheran Scholarship, $150 DYW Spirit Award, $250 DYW Scholastic Award and $1,000 Careers that Work.

Rachel Schell received the $500 Ritzville Gun Club Pat Oestreich Memorial Scholarship and the $500 RHS/LRHS Alumni Association Scholarship.

Alarah Pierce-Pulliam earned the $300 Mary C. Pierce Talent Award and $500 RHS/LRHS Alumni Association Scholarship.

Tessa O’Brien received a scholarship from the Emanuel Lutheran Church.

Jesse Anderson netted $13,289 in scholarship monies. He received the $5,920 Federal Pell Grant, $6,213 Washington State Needs Grant, $656 Washington College Bound Scholarship and the $500 RHS/LRHS Alumni Association Scholarship.

MicKayla Hall received $12,650 in scholarship from a $2,000 EWU Dean’s Scholarship, $5,870 Federal Pell Grant and $4,780 EWU Grant.

Emily Rosen received $11,248 in scholarships. She earned $1,000 RHS/LRHS Alumni Association, $2,000 Central Washington University Trustee’s Award, $6,431 Washington State Grant, $817 WSAC College Bound Scholarship and $1,000 Lind Alumni Scholarship.

Nathan Naught netted $41,250 in scholarships with a $40,000 University of Kentucky Merrit Award and $1,250 University of Kentucky Ag Scholarship.

Sierra Kiel received a $500 DYW Finalist Award and $200 DYW Talent Award.

Crystal Silva was the recipient of the $2,500 Carol Lee Krehbiel and Jennie Jantz Scholarship.

Along with scholarship recognition, Lind-Ritzville High School administrators also presented awards to individual students who excelled in a specific area during their time at LRHS.

Smith received the Harry P. Hayes, Athletic and Inspirational awards. Aldrich received the Honor Cup, Social Studies, Science, Math, English and Music Contribution awards.

Schell was the recipient of the Athletic and English awards, while Jack Anderson received the Music Contribution and Music Achievement awards.

Buriak was presented with the Inspirational Award, and Hall received the Creative Arts Award. Jesse Anderson earned the Technology Award, while Kiel received the Music Achievement Award.

Rounding out the LRHS awards was Abby Gering, who received the Agriculture Award.

The ceremony concluded with the awarding of diplomas by Superintendent Matt Ellis, Principal Ronanda Liberty, School Board Chairmen Jani Melcher and Layne Iltz.