COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL JUNE 13, 2018
FIRE
from A1
to smolder, was described by
Fire Chief John Wooten as the
“fastest growing fi re” he had
seen in his career. Th ursday’s
press release noted that this
was due to the mix of “facility
construction being all wood,
wood products present inside
the facility, saw dust build up,
open doors and prevailing
winds at the time of the fi re.”
According to a statement from
Wooten, the sprinkler system
was already overwhelmed and
had stopped working when
fi refi ghters arrived within
minutes of the initial 911 call.
7A
Investigators surmised that
the fi re continued to burn rap-
idly because the “fi re suppres-
sion system on the property
was not eff ective in containing
the initial blaze, allowing it to
spread.”
Th e owner of the mill, Wal-
ter Whitsell, noted last week
that he hopes to rebuild the
mill that he helped build near-
ly 40 years ago.
“Yeah, we’re optimistic. You
have to be. What else are you
going to do?” said Whitsell.
Th e mill employed approx-
imately 100 workers, some
of whom are now working at
other mills around the state.
n The Northwest’s
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20 Palmer Ave. n Cottage Grove n (541) 942-0510
ZACH SILVA /COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL
Kennedy students were greeted by staff with hugs as they received their diplomas during Saturday's graduation ceremony.
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KENNEDY
from A1
Weather forecasts had been deteriorat-
ing all week and eventually forced Cottage
Grove High School to announce it was
moving its celebration indoors. Kennedy,
however, armed with plans for its fi rst out-
door celebration since moving to the De-
light Valley campus, forged on. A little bit
of rain unable to stop the tribe at Kennedy
from celebrating in the sun.
Th e class of 2018 was made up of 20 GED
certifi cates and 22 diplomas and earned
more than $122,000 in scholarships.
“Some of us struggled at other schools.
Th at doesn’t make us bad kids,” said Star
Posthumus as she addressed the crowd
gathered Saturday. Posthumus, who con-
tended with homelessness nearly her en-
tire high school career, thanked her teach-
ers and said Kennedy gave her the second
chance she needed. She said she learned to
check her facts, the importance of patience
and to work for what she wanted. “For all
the people who thought we couldn’t do it,
look at us now,” she said.
Amanda Mullen echoed Posthumus,
crediting Kennedy with helping her to
fi nish her education aft er giving birth to
her son Weston at the age of 15. She told
the audience she’d given up on her edu-
cation before fi nding Kennedy and noted
her intention to attend Lane Community
College before transferring to a four-year
university on her way to becoming a nurse.
Speaking to her son, she said, “I may have
met you a little early but I believe I met you
when I was supposed to. Some people said
when I had you, my life had ended. But it’s
when my life began.”
Teachers fought back tears as they took
to the podium to hand out diplomas, stop-
ping to say a few words about each gradu-
ate. Th ey described kids who were ready to
be adults, who make their way back, who
have what it takes, who earned college
credit, were eternally curious, forces to be
reckoned with, diligent, humble and kids
who did it for themselves. And kids who
did it for their children.
Future plans for graduates included
stints at community college, positions with
the county and shift s as fi remen and other
public servants.
“14 years ago when I started teaching, my
mentor teacher said I would never forget
my fi rst class,” Ketcher said. “She assured
me they would hold a special place in my
memory, and they do. And as a fi rst-year
principal, I know that I will never forget my
fi rst graduating class. Th e class of 2018…
Graduation is huge milestone in a person’s
life. During this monumental milestone, al-
ways remember the best of times at Al Ken-
nedy High School. Remember the amazing
friendships you built, all of the fun fi eld
trips and travel experiences, working in the
garden and at Quamish Prairie. Remember
the teachers and dedicated staff members
that supported you along the way. Remem-
ber everything that Kennedy means to each
of you, because all of us at Kennedy, will
never forget all of you. You all hold a spe-
cial place in my memory and I am so proud
of all you…It’s important to be smart, we
know you’re smart. But it’s also important
to be good and we know you’re good.”
Kennedy teachers played a personalized
song as Ketcher stood at the end of each
row, gently pushing graduates down the
aisle, guiding them once more. Th is time,
toward the future.
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