Graduations 2004: Central Kitsap

In the fall Wil Floyd will head off to Seattle Community College to study film. His classmate Jonathan Allen has not yet decided his plans, but he is glad to be done with high school.

Nicole Koether and Katrina Cruz going off to Central Washington University.

“I’m nervous. It finally hit us,” Koether said as she waited with her 396 classmates for Central Kitsap High School’s graduation to begin.

The ceremony, held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Pavilion, was packed with well-wishers as the 2004 graduating class filed in.

Salutatorian William Pittman welcomed the crowd and congratulated the class.

“Congratulations students, friends and peers for making it this far,” Pittman said.

Pittman plans to go to the University of Washington and major in computer science.

Kortnee Sampson, senior class speaker, reminded the graduates of a few highlights at CKHS. While the class failed miserably at its sophomore pep rally, it rebounded as seniors to defeat South Kitsap on the basketball court.

“Never forget what we are leaving behind or the life long lessons we’ve learned in the classroom,” she said.

She touched on the senior class motto “We cannot discover new oceans unless we have the courage to lose sight of the shore,” and its importance.

“Each of us has a different shore,” she said.

Cruz plans to study a pre-veterinary course of study while at CWU and Koether plans to study special education.

“The class of 2004 is clearly filled with outstanding graduates,” principal John Cervinsky as he presented special honor to outstanding students including Travis Wilson, valedictorian and Pittman. Andrew Engelhard was named outstanding senior for his service and involvement in the school.

“We are finally prepared to leave the shore for our future,” said Wilson, who closed the ceremony. “Let’s go for it.”

Wilson, who plans on attending the University of Washington, then raised his hand for the graduates to stand. Silently, with a wave of the hand across the sea of caps and gowns, the class turned their tassels and tossed their carnations into the air.

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