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WEDNESDAY EDITION
❘ JUNE 10, 2015 ❘
Siuslaw News
Coast Life
SENIOR NEWS
CALENDAR
INSIDE — 4B
M APLETON H IGH S CHOOL
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
S IUSLAW H IGH S CHOOL
SECTION B
Graduating seniors earn nearly $200K in scholarships
B Y J ACK D AVIS
Siuslaw News
L
ast weekend saw the graduation
of students from Mapleton and
Siuslaw high schools. Both
schools featured walking ceremonies,
speeches by students and community
support.
It was a bittersweet graduation cere-
mony in Mapleton on Saturday, June 6,
as 10 graduating seniors took their place
on stage next to the memorial for
Abigail Boydston, a senior who died last
November in a car accident.
Every year, as part of the Mapleton
graduation ceremony, scholarships are
awarded to graduating seniors. Last year,
16 seniors received $29,350 in scholar-
ships. The 2013 graduating class
received $35,020; both respectable
amounts for such small senior classes.
Despite its diminutive size, the 2015
graduating class blew the lid off the
scholarship bucket by earning a total of
$104,097 in scholarships.
In addition, the Ford Family
Foundation awarded a scholarship for an
unspecified amount to cover 90 percent of
unmet needs to class Valedictorian Tucker
Ford, who plans to attend Oregon State
University.
In all, Ford received more than $40,000
in scholarships.
Jesse Reeves, class salutatorian,
received seven scholarships totaling more
than $53,000, including a scholarship and
grant from St. Johns College in New
Mexico for $43,747.
Wayne Cleary was awarded $7,250
from eight separate scholarships.
Chris Free received three scholarships
totaling $2,350, Kate Dearman was grant-
ed two scholarships for $750 and Maddie
Frelich received $250.
“I wish each and every one of them
luck as they begin their new adventure
into the world,” Mapleton School District
Superintendent Jodi O’Mara said.
“Remember, you can take the kid out of
Mapleton, but you can’t take Mapleton
out of the kid!”
On Friday night, Siuslaw High School
graduated 77 seniors during its graduation
ceremony.
Valedictorian David Johnston was
named Outsanding Senior Boy. Jonathan
Griffes was salutatorian, and Elizabeth
Wartnik was chosen Outstanding Senior
Girl.
More than $92,000 in scholarships
were received by 21 of Siuslaw’s graduat-
ing seniors in an award ceremony the pre-
vious week.
Above, Mapleton Valedictorian
Tucker Ford addresses his fel-
low graduates. Salutatorian
Jesse Reeves also spoke to his
class.
Top, Siuslaw Valedictorian David
Johnston gives his speech during
graduation. Salutatorian Jonathan
Griffes and Outstanding Girl
Elizabeth Wartnik also spoke.
PHOTOS BY ROB GRIFFES AND JACK DAVIS/SIUSLAW NEWS
Graduates Courtney King and Taylor Graham (above), along with the rest of their class, celebrate as they
leave Siuslaw High School’s gym for the last time as students.