The sun smiles on BHS grads

Recent graduates’ smiles shone as brightly as the sun at Bremerton High School’s first outdoor graduation in 48 years.

However, there were also teary-eyed grads who reminisced about what they would miss about high school, including sports, teachers and friends.

“I’ll definitely remember the plays and theater. It was a great way to meet people with diverse backgrounds,” said Charles Noard, who plans to study drafting and theater at Western Washington University.

Added Shaun Pickering, who will study at Oregon State University

“I’m going to miss high school football. We had an awesome year — one of the best we’ve ever had.”

The June 14 ceremony featured speakers Chelsea Hughes, class president, Principal Chris Thompson, and a Hendrix-style electric guitar rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, played by students Billy Morton and Jon Briggs.

Some teens said the fact they were done with school had not yet hit home.

“For the first few weeks I’ll probably keep waking up at 4 a.m. expecting to go to school,” said Cliff South, who will enlist in the Navy.

Others said they grasped the reality of the situation, but didn’t feel ready for the real world.

“I love high school and I’m not really ready to go. I’m going to miss my friends and my teachers, especially Craig Smith (social studies) and Casey Lindberg (social studies),” said Jacqueline Holliday.

The stands were packed with relatives and friends who offered words of wisdom for graduates.

“You can accomplish many more things, as long as your don’t think they’re impossible,” Anthony White said of his sister Alisha White and cousin Capri Fields who graduated Friday.

Many family members stressed the importance of hard work, persisitance and staying out of trouble. Others reflected on the changes they witnessed in their teenaged kin.

“(My brother’s) done a lot of growing up — from poor grades to good grades, from not caring to caring. He’s turned around,” said Suzanne Sammons, of her brother Robert James, who is enlisting in the military.

Fourteen of Jan Devery’s kin sat in the front row to celebrate her graduation. Devery’s dream was to be adopted before her 18th birthday. She was — 3 days before she turned 18. Now she’ll study education at Olympic College.

“Set the goal that you want and work hard to get there — and for goodness sakes, stay in school!” advised Jan’s grandfather Stephan Devery, a 1941 BHS graduate.

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