On a day for celebrating their accomplishments, the Lake Roosevelt High School class of 2019 seemed to take as much joy in giving awards as getting them Saturday, as they took part in the annual graduation rituals at the school's Gailord Nelson Gym.

An undercurrent of emotion carried through the formalities. Principal Ronanda Liberty's understated description of the class as "resilient" hinted at a year more challenging than most for the class. She didn't elaborate.

Before accolades were given out for academic successes, athletic achievements, hundreds of hours of community volunteer work, or for a cumulative total of more than $611,000 offered to students in scholarships, cheers were quick and enthusiastic when the staff members of the year and teachers of the year were named.

Steve Hood, who is retiring this year after 33 years of teaching autoshop and coaching wrestling, was named as teacher of the year, as was Gretchen Whitelaw. Students noted their exceptional support of students, beyond the norm.

Steve Hood

They also honored LRHS Secretary Sheila Darnold and Pathways Coordinator Jesse Utz for their dedication and commitment.

Liberty also acknowledged retiring teachers Sandy Hood and Jan Erickson for their 40 years of service and commitment to students in the Grand Coulee Dam School District.

Valedictorian Hannah Wapato and Salutatorian Addison Hansen offered brief, but serious, remarks. Wapato pleaded with fellow students to "just graduate," saying that many don't take school seriously, even refusing to do the work assigned, with lifelong consequences.

Hansen related that she had reached a breaking point of despair in 2017, but family, teachers, coaches and, although they didn't realize it, "these 44 individuals," helped her through it.