River City Academy graduated nine in a Tuesday ceremony in the gym at Skyview Middle School that showed the intimacy such a small class can create.
Principal Shea Nash started the evening by giving specific anecdotes that demonstrated how much students had grown at the academy, which serves students in seventh through 12th grade and has an enrollment of about 80.
Nash pointed to Benjamin McVey and Gary McVey speaking to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School Board last year. Afterward, board members came up to Nash and said they were impressed with how prepared the students were.
The principal said the students had not prepared at all.
“They didn’t need to because through their classes and their lives, and through getting out there and working in the community and mentorship with their teachers, and learning how to communicate with others, they were already prepared to take on the challenge,” Nash said. “And that’s true of all of you.”
KPBSD created River City Academy in 2008. According to the graduation program, the academy acknowledges students have unique learning needs and meeting those needs serve the community.
River City provides students a performance-based, student-centered path to graduation where students work toward proficiency at their own pace.
In his address to graduates, co-valedictorian Gary McVey admitted he did not prepare for that address to the school board.
“I didn’t practice for this either,” McVey said to laughs from the crowd.
He then turned serious in thanking his teachers for making the school year fly by.
“This is what made the school the most unique to me is they were able to teach us valuable lessons and skills in an interesting, fun and memorable way,” McVey said. “Thank you to the teachers for making this place so special.”
McVey said the students also make the school special, while family and friends also play a key role in the journey.
Co-valedictorian Ashlynn Parkin said the environment at River City Academy allowed her to come out of her shell.
“This school has helped me gain some confidence in my abilities and push forward toward a better education,” Parkin said. “When I started here, I was shy and kept to myself.
“I remember all the teachers were nice to me and tried to cut through my anxiety.”
Aubrey White, salutatorian, told herself she wouldn’t cry during the speech, but that didn’t prove possible in front of her valued classmates.
“I’m pretty proud of every single person who walks through this stage for you today,” White said. “They pushed themselves, struggled and excelled in everything they’ve done until now.
“Of course, their accomplishments don’t stop just because they graduate high school. I truly believe that every single person up here today will not only improve their strengths, but their willingness to thrive against the challenges they may face as they grow.”
Donica Nash, an English and history teacher at the school, gave the commencement address.
Nash said she wanted to give the address because the Class of 2025 is her favorite class. She said this class introduced her to RCA, and that she first met most of the graduates in eighth grade when the rules of the pandemic still pervaded the classroom.
The teacher said the academy provides a teacher as long as six years to get to know a student.
“To be with them on this journey is an incredible honor, and it comes with tremendous burden on my heart, because we have such an intimate group of graduates,” she said.
Nash then gave each student a different candy bar she cleverly connected with the student. For instance, Gideon Pankratz ended up with JOYRIDE candy.
“For your love of cars and the joy you brought to me as a teacher, I give you the JOYRIDE award,” Nash said.
Shea Nash then directed the graduates through the awarding of diplomas and turning of tassels. The group then processed out, with only Nicholaus Benkendorf taking time to twirl his mortarboard into the air.
The Class of 2025 is clearly going places, and wasting no time getting there.
River City Academy 2025 graduates
Nicholaus Benkendorf
Lydia Dyer #
Landen Elde
Seth Macdonald
Benjamin McVey
Gary McVey *
Gideon Pankratz
Ashlynn Parkin *#
Aubrey White +
Key
Valedictorian — *
Salutatorian — +
Ashlynn Parkin, co-valedictorian, delivers a speech at the River City Academy graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Skyview Middle School just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Nicholaus Benkendorf tosses his mortarboard at the River City Academy graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Skyview Middle School just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Nicholaus Benkendorf takes command in a grip-strength contest with Principal Shea Nash during the awarding of diplomas at the River City Academy graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Skyview Middle School just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Gary McVey, co-valedictorian, delivers a speech at the River City Academy graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Skyview Middle School just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Lydia Dyer accepts the Masonic Student of Excellence award at the River City Academy graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Skyview Middle School just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Lydia Dyer accepts the Masonic Student of Excellence award at the River City Academy graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Skyview Middle School just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
