Woodland High School celebrated its graduating class of more than 130 graduates in a series of events culminating in the Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 9

Woodland Public Schools’ two high schools, Woodland High School and TEAM High School, the district’s alternative high school, celebrated their 2023 graduates during commencement ceremonies on Friday, June 9 and Wednesday, June 7, respectively.

TEAM Commencement

TEAM High School recognized more than 40 graduates during a ceremony Wednesday night from its largest graduating class of nearly 50 total grads. Principal Dan Uhlenkott welcomed families and guests followed by Executive Director of Special Services Jake Hall’s presentation of the Class of 2023 to Board President Janice Watts, who handed out diplomas. 

You can download high-resolution, print-quality versions of the photos taken during the TEAM Commencement from the following link: https://bit.ly/TEAM-Graduation-2023

Woodland High School Graduation Festivities

Woodland High School celebrated its graduating class of more than 130 graduates in a series of events culminating in the Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 9. Graduates were recognized for their accomplishments during Senior Night, reunited with their kindergarten and first grade teachers during a brand-new lunch event midweek, took part in the Grad Parade through the district’s schools, and concluded by walking in the 115th Annual Commencement to receive their diplomas.

Reading and Reuniting with Kindergarten and First Grade Teachers for One Last Story

Graduates took part in a new tradition during lunch as they reunited with their first grade and kindergarten teachers for a special event that celebrated the profound impact these educators had on their lives. Organized by Andrea Edwards and Sharon Conditt, current Woodland teachers, the event brought together current and retired teachers of this year’s graduating class to share stories and relive fond memories with their students.

The idea for the event stemmed from a conference Conditt had attended, where the concept of reconnecting graduating seniors with their early years’ teachers was shared. “The school community quickly realized that it perfectly embodied their values and the tight-knit bond they shared,” said Conditt. 

“As the announcement of the event spread, the anticipation among the graduating class grew; the students were overjoyed to learn that their beloved teachers would be present at the event, eagerly awaiting the chance to express their gratitude for the teachers’ guidance and support during their formative years.”

The courtyard was transformed into a cozy storytelling haven, where teachers sat encircled by their soon-to-be graduates. “The atmosphere was filled with a sense of nostalgia and appreciation as the teachers took turns reading stories aloud, just like they used to when their students were young,” said Conditt. To add an extra touch of nostalgia, the high school teachers arranged snacks reminiscent of elementary school days including Capri-Sun juice pouches and cookies, eliciting smiles and laughter as the seniors reminisced about their favorite snacks from those bygone years. 

“The event would not have been possible without the dedication and coordination of Andrea Edwards, who tirelessly organized all the teachers,” said Conditt. “Edwards’ efforts exemplify the spirit of the school community, where fostering lifelong connections between students and teachers is cherished.”

For the graduating seniors, this event was a poignant reminder of the profound impact their first grade and kindergarten teachers had on their lives. “Many of these students had spent a significant amount of time with these educators, with some teachers even returning from retirement to be a part of this special occasion,” said Conditt. “The event not only honored the teachers’ contributions but also served as a testament to the enduring power of education and the lifelong connections formed within a close-knit community.”

You can download high-resolution, print-quality versions of the photos taken during the Kindergarten and 1^st Grade Teacher Reunion from the following link: https://bit.ly/WHS-1st-Kinder-Class-of-2023-Reunion

Parade of Graduates

Friday morning prior to graduation practice, WHS graduates donned their graduation gowns for the annual Parade of Graduates. Graduates paraded through Columbia and North Fork Elementary Schools, Woodland Middle School, and Woodland High School while each school’s students line the routes to celebrate their graduates with posters, cheers, and high-fives.

At each elementary school, the graduates formed a tunnel for the school’s kindergarten students to run through as they celebrated the end of their first year of school and their transition to first grade this fall.

You can download high-resolution, print-quality versions of the photos taken during the WHS Grad Parade from the following link: https://bit.ly/WHSGradParade2023

WHS Commencement Ceremony

The 115th Commencement Ceremony was held on the evening of Friday, June 9. The Woodland High School Jazz Choir sang the National Anthem. The Class of 2023 voted for Stephanie Marshall, a Woodland High School chemistry teacher, as their Faculty Speaker, who spoke of the life experiences and the importance to persevere even if they should fail at something. 

Woodland Public Schools’ Assistant Superintendent Asha Riley officially certified that the graduates had met the necessary requirements to graduate and presented the class to Board President Janice Watts and Board Director Jeff Wray who handed out diplomas to each graduate. 

You can download high-resolution, print-quality versions of the photos taken during the WHS Commencement from the following link: https://bit.ly/WHS-Graduation-2023

Learn more about how Woodland Public Schools educates students and serves the community by visiting the dedicated news webpage at www.woodlandschools.org/news/wsd

Information provided by Woodland School District.