Homer High School graduated 84 seniors in front of a packed high school gymnasium Tuesday evening during the Class of 2024 commencement ceremony.
Presiding over the event was Principal Douglas Waclawski, joined on stage by Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent and school board member Tim Daugharty, as well as class sponsors Erin Bregge, Winter Marshall-Allen and Michael Tozzo.
Homer High School band provided the processional music. A choir selection was performed by both the Homer High School concert choir and swing choir.
“Our graduates have embraced challenges and overcome obstacles,” Waclawski said in his opening address. “Some of these graduates struggled, some cried while doing homework. The truth of it is, true learning is not always comfortable and true learning is not always testable. What is learned is not always a part of the curriculum. But, every one of these students who made it to this point is ready for their future. They got here in many different ways. They made it to the finish line.”
He noted that whatever path the newly graduated class chooses next, whether college or the workforce, that they should remember they are a part of the Mariner Way and the Homer community.
“Homer is a special place and that you will take with you wherever you go,” he said. “The support, the atmosphere, the water, the people are special. No matter where you go, you can always come back to Homer. So, let’s cheer our graduates on their next adventure. Congratulations to the Class of 2024.”
Michelle Borland, social studies teacher, who has taught with KPBSD for 19 years, provided the commencement address. She also teaches one of the school’s most popular elective courses — foods.
Borland, who said she was thankful for the opportunity to present, said every year at graduation she wears her own graduation ring and Mariner Wheel pendant that she received when she graduated from Homer High School.
“I wear this black robe that once belonged to the late and great Jim Holcomb and usually I sit back and observe and enjoy the show. But this year, ever since I was told I was selected to give this talk I knew I needed to do a little more,” she said. Noting that it was a difficult process.
Ultimately, she provided memories to some of the seniors and noted the network between the senior students, faculty, family and community members of Homer. She congratulated some of the 2024 students in the graduation class with multigenerational roots in the community, listing well-known family names of graduates from the school: Glidden, Drake, Jones and Walli-Sweeny.
Borland told the graduates, “You’ve all left an impression, whether you have meant to or not.”
She also provided a “personalized list of suggestions” that the graduates could pick and choose from.
For example: Regardless of how much technology you use in your everyday life, build relationships with other humans, unplug once in awhile. Nobody really knows what they’re going to do with their life just pick something and do it.
Next on the list: No one has a perfect life and no one can do everything. Make good and healthy choices, be involved and participate. If you’re going to do a job, do it well. Don’t procrastinate, have a sense of humor and breathe.
Finally, “Be proud of who you are and where you come from. Stretching back to the mid-1920s the schools were established in Homer and it was not easy to get an education back then but they persevered through statehood, a catastrophic earthquake, just as you have done in your own time,” she said.
“As of tonight, you are the newest part of our legacy.”
Paul Story, counselor, presented scholarships and awards. Thirty-four students were listed in the program as award recipients.
Valedictorian of the 2024 class is Spencer Co, GPA 4.378, and salutatorian is Lucas Story, GPA 4.666. They gave a mutual address.
“This day marks 13 years in the public school system for most of us,” Co told the crowd.
But, it isn’t the time in classes that the graduating class will recall but the memories provided by faculty and classmates, he said. “That’s what will remain in our hearts.”
After Co’s welcome, Story noted that they wanted to provide some personal thank-you’s to faculty and staff. These were provided to people who helped the graduating class navigate through their years of elementary education.
The thank-you list included personal notes to Daniel Newsted, Jan Spurkland, Kyle Schneider, Vicki Lowe, Andrea Stineff, Michelle Borland, Erin Bregge, the freshman hallway, bathroom vape detectors, junior class boys, HHS Booster Club, Paul Story, Tim Daugharty, Eric Pederson, Douglas Waclawski and all other members of family and staff.
They ended with a shout, “We love you Homer High!”
A slide presentation was provided by the senior yearbook staff showing personal photo slide for each graduate, many included childhood and elementary school photos.
Tim Daugharty provided general acceptance of the Cass of 2024.
“As board member of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, I acknowledge the achievements and new status of the Class of 2024. Will the Homer class of 2024 please present themselves to receive their diplomas?”
Douglas Waclawski announced each graduate by name as they crossed the stage to receive their diploma.
Finally, “Graduates, please rise. It is my honor to present to you the class of 2024, congratulations!”
A crowded reception commenced in the Homer High School Commons where graduates were congratulated by members of the audience.
Homer High School Class of 2024
Akia Samantha Angel**
Saharat Anderson
Regan Leilani Baker
Blaise Augustine Banks
Zane Ernesto Barnes
Audrey Kay Bartel
Briar Lynn Boyd
William Paul Bradshaw
Alaiyah Nicole Brost
Wade Nelson Carroll
Seth Xavier Chandler
Bryce Michael Christensen
Spencer Kuan Co
Brenna Michelle Cox
Isaac Cary Lynn Cox
Talli Salome Dalke
Justice Allen Davidson
Ariana Taylor Davis
Ella Smith Davis
Logan Francisco Dias
Nikole Lyn Drake
Riley Nicohle Drake
Stella Dye
Keegan Charles Elkington
Alivia Penelope Fefelov
Charlotte Kitri Fraley
Albert Dean Freeman
Tanner Jo Gallios
Maggie Mae Gaylord
Bryce Marin Thompson Glidden
Hadley Gale Thompson Glidden
Addison Christine Grimes
Emma Daniel Grimes
Julie Estelle Guess
Zaiden Leo Alexi Carlson Haunschild
Ally Michelle High
Goldie Evelyn Hill
Tucker Ellis Hiller
Ava Lorriane Johnson
Carlie Rae Johnson
Kavindra Bree Johnson
Autumn Charlotte Grace Jones
Chase Westin Jones
Lily Rose King
Lillie Mae Kuhn
Faith Christiana Latham
Caden River Latta
Xander Laki Long
Jasmine Ann Lurus
Charity Kay Martin
Jonah Ryan Martin
Christian Chadwick Matthews
Brieanna Rose Miller
Elsa Catherine Boyd Milne
Clark Evan Milstead
Abigail Linda Morgan
Vincent Lee Neal
Elsa Merril Otis
Nathan Edward Overson
Emily Anne Owens
Hazel Alma Pearson
Alana Lorene Prescott
Malachi Michael Raymond
Frida Renner*
Minadora L. Reutov
Haylee Shea
Sydney Eva Shelby
Caitlin Luella Smith
Noah Xavier Smith
Poppy Gisela Smith
Noah Katahdin Spencer
Hope Katrina Stearns
Stephen Lake Steiner
Danika Lynn Stiles*
Izaac Henry Stineff
Lucas John Story
Alexandria Pearl Sweeney
Jake Leo Marley Tappan
Nathaniel Troy Theisen
Angelo James Toci*
Ryan David Veal
Johannah Sue Wickstrom
Camden Richard Wise
Cyrus Elijah Wood
Bailey Rose Marie Young
** Foreign exchange student
Ella Davis, Homer High School graduate, stands with sophomore Marina Co in the Homer High School Commons post-commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Emilie Springer/Homer News)
Ella Davis, Homer High School graduate, stands with sophomore Marina Co in the Homer High School Commons post-commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Emilie Springer/Homer News)
