By Bill Reynolds
La Conner Community News

The past, present and future merged seamlessly at La Conner High School’s 132nd annual commencement exercises last Thursday, June 11, as graduates of the class of 2026 reflected upon strides they’ve made while anticipating the steps that await them on the road ahead.

Over 800 family members, friends and well-wishers — some of whom stood throughout the 70-minute outdoor ceremony as all seats were taken — gathered on a sunlit evening at Whittaker Field to celebrate a class noted for its diverse academic, artistic, musical and athletic achievements.

The upbeat celebration was such that cheers arising upon the presentation of diplomas were heard as far away as a mile outside town.

The graduation program’s tone was one of cooperation, camaraderie and congratulations. Those were evident from the start when the audience was welcomed in three languages — English, Spanish and Lushootseed — by class speakers Marlin Bralens, Citlali Cisneros Martinez, and Katarina Edwards and Armena Joe, respectively.

Bralens, the class president, noted that 44% of his classmates were Native American and 56% of the class had attended La Conner since preschool. Together, he said, they had experienced “moments that will be shared our whole lives.”

Introduced by Edwards and Joe, the Swinomish Canoe Family blessed the class with two honor songs.

“We’re thankful to La Conner School District for allowing us to be a part of this ceremony, to have an opportunity to share our culture,” said Swinomish Senator and Cultural Events Director Aurelia Bailey.

Bailey lauded family members who through the years guided the new graduates to this latest milestone in their lives.

“We raise our hands,” she said, “to the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles for the beautiful job you’ve done with your young people.”

Valedictorian Hadden Zimmerman and Salutatorian Mason Magill each focused on lessons learned as La Conner students that can be applied going forward.

To illustrate, Zimmerman alluded to sports injuries that periodically sidelined him.

“Those injuries changed my plans,” he said. “Looking back, those experiences told me something. Life doesn’t always go as planned. What matters is if we keep going and keep trying.”

Zimmerman ruefully pointed out that he and his classmates will soon part ways for new destinies.

“For the first time in many years, we won’t be together this fall,” he said. “We don’t know where life will take us.”

But one thing is certain, Zimmerman vowed.

“We’ll do just fine,” he said.

Magill, recipient of the Vince Sellen Community Service Award — named for the retired longtime La Conner Schools social studies teacher and Town Council member — spoke of how friendships forged at La Conner helped the class deal with the COVID-19 pandemic that forced students to learn remotely for an extended period.

Through it all, Magill said, steady encouragement and support among classmates proved vital. Much better times — countless occasions to remember — followed the pandemic.

Magill said that he and his classmates had logged 2,160 days and 14,000 hours together from when they started school at La Conner.

“All good things must come to an end,” he conceded, “but this is just the beginning of what’s to come.”

Magill said of all their varying memories of La Conner Schools, graduation is one that all class members will share equally.

“We’ll remember that we were all here on June 11 and closed this chapter together,” he said. “Now it’s time to start the next.”

Among the event’s more memorable moments came when class members Ken Tronsdal, on guitar, and saxophonist Hayden Bill performed Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” midway through the program.

La Conner Middle and High School Principal Christine Tripp introduced the seven class of 2026 National Honor Society members — Zimmerman, Magill, Luke Cicotte, Flint Huizenga, Isabella Long, Maeve McCormick and William Walker — each of whom attained excellent grades, performed extensive public service, and exhibited outstanding character and citizenship.

La Conner Schools Superintendent David Cram recognized senior adviser Theresa James for her many years of coordinating commencement activities prior to formally presenting the class. He urged the graduates to “move forward with confidence, purpose and a commitment to make a positive impact in our world.”

The long-awaited diploma presentations were accompanied by robust cheers and applause from the large audience.

Those attending were also informed that in addition to Magill, this year’s perpetual display award recipients were Isabelle Villard (the Megan Lisser Service to School Award), Yamileth Ocampo Contreras (the Joanne Self Determination and Loyalty Award), Maeve McCormick (the La Conner Kiwanis-Chuck Hedlund Community Service Award), and Brooks Bushey (the Jack Whittaker Achievement Award).

The last word was left for Villard. And that word was fun.

“We really were just having fun,” she said, looking back nostalgically at the class’ time at La Conner High.

But now, Villard said in her closing remarks, it’s time to embrace the future.

“When one door closes there’s another one just around the corner to step through,” she insisted. “This is just the beginning of the rest of our lives.”

Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.