16 students graduate from charter school

The McKenna Charter High School graduation ceremony finished shortly after the graduates were asked to do the traditional "turning of the tassels," or moving the tassel from the right side to the left side of their caps. The tradition represented the turning a new page in the academic life of these students.

The McKenna Charter High School graduation marked the day in the life of 16 young students transforming from being just kids into a life of true adulthood on Saturday.

During the ceremony, school founder Larry Slade also said his goodbyes to the school after he announced his retirement earlier in the week.

The ceremony, held at the Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene, started out with the graduates marching up the aisle, lead by two flag bearers before taking their seats on stage. In addition to the 13 traditional high school graduates, three students from the school's online program also completed the graduation walk for the first time.

Selected school staff members then marched in and took their seats on stage before the underclassmen marched through the room and out again before taking their seats in the balcony.

"I can't wait to be sitting on that stage next year," one junior said to his fellow students as they were climbing the balcony stairs.

With everyone in place for the ceremony, teacher Todd Thorn had the enviable job of presenting Slade a going-away portrait. Thorn also took the opportunity to reminisce over the many shared experiences the school had with Slade.

Thorn mentioned that Slade brought a lot to the school, including being its founder and director. He added that Slade insisted everything the school did had to be in the best interest of the students.

At the same time, he gave the staff and teachers the freedom to teach, which Thorn said had to be a difficult task giving that much faith and trust in the teachers.

After a standing ovation for Slade and his many accomplishment, former teacher Gig Grubb spoke at the ceremony. He retired last year following a teacher career at the charter high school.

"Gig came back in a cameo role to put together the end of the year," Thorn said while explaining he was the best person for that job.

Grubb said that Slade was always on the cutting edge of everything. He was the innovator for the entire state including charter schools and the online program.

Two students were chosen to speak at this year's graduation ceremony. Sean Lurker, who he'd been at the school for all four years, had nothing but great things to say about the school, staff and all of his McKenna schoolmates.

Lurker credited the teachers and staff for showing the graduating class they had a lot more in themselves than they ever thought. He went on to thank the staff for always being there for them and for all the love and support the received.

"It's time to go out and make our stories now," Lurker said as he turned to his classmates and cautioned them to "always remember who you are."

Marriah Willis stood in front of the crowd and said she had a lot of people to thank for getting her to this day -- graduation day. Most of that credit went the school staff, all the families and even all the former classmates that made McKenna a great place to go.

Willis then looked up to the balcony filled with underclassmen and said "make yourself and McKenna proud."

Graduating senior Jessie Riley, then took her place behind the piano on stage where she played "Lamentations of the Heart" that was scored by composer Philip Wesley.

School administrator Colette Bundy had the honors of presenting diplomas to the graduates. As is traditional, each student walked up and was handed their diploma.

In may cases, the students couldn't resist expressing their gratitude by warming hugging Bundy and then went straight over to Slade for another hug before heading back to their seats.