Thursday, June 22, 2017 - Week 25
Class of 2017 graduation
Journal photo by Gordon Weeks
Shannon Klasell of Sound Learning hands Josiah Brewer his diploma June 15 at the Celebration of Success ceremony in the Mason Transit-Community Center in Shelton.
Shannon Klasell of Sound Learning hands Josiah Brewer his diploma June 15 at the Celebration of Success ceremony in the Mason Transit-Community Center in Shelton.
Different paths to graduation
By GORDON WEEKS
gordon@masoncounty.com Shelton resident Kalaya Jackson halted her formal education in the 11th grade, but not for long. “Some work places really don’t want people without some form of graduation, like a high school diploma or a GED,” she said. Jackson returned to school at Olympic College Shelton, and then turned to Sound Learning in downtown Shelton. She struggled with math and English, but mastered both subjects with the help of tutors. “It was pretty great,” she said. Jackson, 20, was among the graduates who picked up their GEDs June 15 at the Celebration of Success ceremony at the Mason Transit-Community Center. Olympic College, Sound Learning and the Gravity program honored the students who earned a GED or HS21-Plus diploma in the past year. The graduates have shown perseverance and a plan to follow through, said Steve Warner, a member of the Olympic College Board of Trustees. “You should rightfully be proud of yourselves,” he told them. For more of the Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition. |
NMHS grads say goodbye
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Journal photo by Alexandra Smith
Shawqueea Parker, recent Mary M. Knight graduate, played her first season of basketball this past winter. She has committed to play lacrosse this fall at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon.
Shawqueea Parker, recent Mary M. Knight graduate, played her first season of basketball this past winter. She has committed to play lacrosse this fall at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon.
MMK athlete to play lacrosse
By ALEXANDRA SMITH
alexandra@masoncounty.com
There are more than 7 million high school student athletes in the United States. Of those, 2 percent will receive a college scholarship to play athletics. Mary M.
Knight graduate Shawqueea Parker is among that 2 percent, but her scholarship is for a sport she has never played before.
Parker has a scholarship to Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, to play women’s lacrosse.
“I’ve never played lacrosse before, nor has it ever crossed my mind until now,” Parker said. “But I’m willing to go for it.”
Parker played girls basketball at Mary M. Knight this season and earned the team’s rebounding and sportsmanship awards.
This won’t be the first time Parker has started a new sport later than most.
“This year was also my first year in basketball, and I was able to come as far as I did,” Parker said. “I am excited for the opportunity to play lacrosse.”
Linfield girls lacrosse coach Sean Hansen contacted Mary M. Knight girls basketball coach Mike Bateman about seniors who may be a good fit for girls lacrosse.
“She had taken in a few brand-new starters the year before and told me that as long as I’m willing to put in the time in and out of practice, she has seen girls come far within their first year,” Parker said.
She hasn’t physically visited the school yet, but Parker said she is excited about going to college and is hopeful for the opportunities that will come with being at college.
For more of the Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition.
alexandra@masoncounty.com
There are more than 7 million high school student athletes in the United States. Of those, 2 percent will receive a college scholarship to play athletics. Mary M.
Knight graduate Shawqueea Parker is among that 2 percent, but her scholarship is for a sport she has never played before.
Parker has a scholarship to Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, to play women’s lacrosse.
“I’ve never played lacrosse before, nor has it ever crossed my mind until now,” Parker said. “But I’m willing to go for it.”
Parker played girls basketball at Mary M. Knight this season and earned the team’s rebounding and sportsmanship awards.
This won’t be the first time Parker has started a new sport later than most.
“This year was also my first year in basketball, and I was able to come as far as I did,” Parker said. “I am excited for the opportunity to play lacrosse.”
Linfield girls lacrosse coach Sean Hansen contacted Mary M. Knight girls basketball coach Mike Bateman about seniors who may be a good fit for girls lacrosse.
“She had taken in a few brand-new starters the year before and told me that as long as I’m willing to put in the time in and out of practice, she has seen girls come far within their first year,” Parker said.
She hasn’t physically visited the school yet, but Parker said she is excited about going to college and is hopeful for the opportunities that will come with being at college.
For more of the Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition.
