By Shaun Scott, Puyallup Tribal News
Chief Leschi Schools seniors turned their tassels from the right side of their caps to the left, signifying their graduation at Chief Leschi Schools 49th commencement ceremony on June 5 at Four Seasons Gym.
Chairman Bill Sterud, Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Miller and Councilmembers Annette Bryan, James Rideout, Anna Bean, Monica Miller and Fred Dillon blanketed and congratulated graduates after they accepted their diplomas. Sterud was the keynote speaker, delivering a speech at the beginning of the event.
“Tonight is a celebration, a celebration of achievement, perseverance, growth and community. Most importantly, it’s a celebration of the remarkable young people sitting before us today, the Chief Leschi Class of 2026,” Sterud said. “As graduates of Chief Leschi Schools, you carry the history and the teachings of our people. You carry the values of our families; you carry the responsibility of representing your community wherever life takes you.”
Valedictorian Michael Loucks shared words of encouragement with his fellow classmates at the podium, as well.
“I have seen the way everyone has started to take their next steps: the applications on your laptops, the portfolios on your desks. I am not sure you all believe this, but you are ready,” Loucks said. “I want to encourage you not to slow down. Passion and excitement are just the surface of your dreams. Take the next steps and build hard work.”
Scholarship and award recipients recognized during the program included Revery Bean (Salutatorian), Nicia Sikkenga (Daffodil Scholarship), Marlee Rodarte (Ben Cheney Scholarship), Kailee Reynolds (Jane Wright Scholarship), Manuelito DeLaCruz (Herman Dillon, Sr. Scholarship), Shikoba Cruz-Garcia (Will Fry Award), Nathan Cardona (Bill Rifenbery Award) and Ayanie Womer-Holt (Perseverance Award).
Chief Leschi Schools Superintendent Don Brummett said this year’s graduating class accumulated a total of 219 college credits through career and technical education coursework.
Before graduates received their diplomas, a previously recorded video appeared on the screen where each graduate shared what their plans are after high school, talked about their favorite memory from their high school years and spoke about an individual who made the biggest impact on them during their educational journey.
