Graduates step into the future

Luke Metzmaker surveyed the hallway where the Whitefish Class of 2005 congregated before graduation exercises Saturday, and gave a grin.

"There's a lot of green in here," the soon-to-be graduate said. "It's like the land of Oz."

Emerald City or not, the high school gym became the setting for some magical transformations for the 150 graduates who, in just over an hour from Metzmaker's observation, became

Whitefish High School alumni.

"I think we did this in record time this year," Principal Kent Paulson said, bringing down the figurative gavel after declaring that, having met requirements for the state of Montana, the class officially was graduated.

A week of nearly continuous rain gave way Saturday to an ideal day for the Flathead Valley's four high school graduations. Whitefish, Kalispell, Columbia Falls and Bigfork were treated to a dry and balmy day, without the sun that has baked many graduates in their caps and gowns in past years.

A couple hours after Whitefish exercises and a few miles to the south, nearly 550 Flathead High graduates underwent a similar transformation at Majestic Valley Arena outside Kalispell.

In many ways, a few miles and school loyalty were all that separated the graduates from one venue to the next.

"I'm ready to go," Whitefish senior Lauren Wagner said as she waited for the processional in the school hallway.

"I'm just happy to get it done with and move on," Jessica Bradford said while standing in the Kalispell lineup at the arena.

"I'm really nervous - and excited because I'm done with school," Scott Izett said, his red hair standing out against his Whitefish Bulldog green and gold. "It hasn't soaked in yet."

"I'm definitely excited, and a little nervous too, just thinking of the future," Flathead High Brave Larry Ingvalson said.

Naturally, some were sentimental.

"Without my parents," Katie Zignego said in Whitefish, "it wouldn't have happened."

"I graduated early," Jerica Bradley said in Kalispell, "but I came back for this because it's kind of a closure on high school."

Graduation speakers gave a public platform to many unspoken thoughts.

The 3,200 gathered for the Whitefish graduation - among them, Gov. Brian Schweitzer and his family - cheered for their kids as Superintendent Jerry House urged, "Today is the day of the Class of 2005. Give 'em a hand."

Paulson applauded them as the students who laid a foundation for those yet to come.

"We're going to remember this class as the one who got things going," Paulson said. He credited the character of the graduates as well as the support from home.

More than 40 percent of the seniors, Paulson said, had maintained a 3.0 or better grade point average through high school; 36 earned a 3.5 GPA or better.

And he singled out National Merit Finalist Andy Erickson as being among only a handful of such high achievers in the nation.

"We don't get to do this every year," he said of the school's chance to recognize one of its own for the national honor.

Class president Kelly McDowell recalled memories of the flour-sack babies some of them learned to care for, the quadratic functions others crammed through their brains.

"There was wading a large river in the wee hours of the morning to paint a large rock wall," McDowell said, eliciting laughter from a crowd fully aware of the paintbrush subterfuge waged between Whitefish and Columbia Falls students on the Badrock Canyon walls over the Flathead River.

"And the weekly visits to Mr. Paulson's office," he added, bringing on more ripples of laughter.

Class vice president Philip Bertelsen urged his classmates to pay it forward, to explore, to dream and discover.

"We are embarking on a time when we must take responsibility for ourselves, our own futures," he said. "We will all make a difference in the world."

Class secretary-treasurer Jessica Conrad led the crowd in congratulating the parents who nurtured today's graduates though 13 years of schooling.

"Each of us has been a work in progress, for our communities, our families … ourselves," Conrad said.

"I would tell you to shoot for the moon, but that would be falling short of the stars," she said. She would advise following their hopes, "but that would be falling short of your dreams. But I will tell you to follow your heart."

House congratulated the class which collectively earned $1.4 million in scholarships, then ushered in the presentation of diplomas.

As graduates stepped on-stage, they slipped rolled-up dollar bills from beneath their caps and dropped them into a donation bowl, continuing a school tradition. This year's benevolence will go to the Montana Cancer Society, particularly to honor Whitefish cancer patient Dawn Blades.

Long-stemmed yellow roses presented to each graduate were raised in the air along with diploma covers as graduates saluted their families in the bleachers. Hugs were exchanged between teachers and seniors.

Finally, to a round of smiles and victory signs, they filed out of the gym to "Pomp and Circumstance," barely waiting until they were outside for the ceremonial tossing of the mortar boards.

Down the road, something like 5,000 family, friends and graduates were gathering in Majestic Valley Arena for the Flathead graduation.

The Class of 2005 waited anxiously then, at long last, filed in for their moment of glory.

Class president Carly Brown opened the ceremony with observations on what comes next, speculation over whether high school is as good as life gets, how they have learned to grieve and hate, but to love, as well.

"All I can offer today," Brown concluded, "is this one challenge: To truly live alive.

"Soak in the few moments of absolute silence left," she advised. "And remember tonight, for it's the beginning of always."