Willamina High School graduates Ariel Bailey and Jenny Kidwell look over a special graduation edition of Dawg Prints.
Tom Ballard/News-Register

Willamina High School teacher Jan Stapleton, retiring after 28 years, has her photo taken with several students.
Tom Ballard/News-Register

Overall view of graduation ceremony; at this point Amanda Williams, one of two Salutatorians, was addressing the crowd.
Tom Ballard/News-Register

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WILLAMINA - Alyssa Eisele offered up a different twist in her salutatorian address at Willamina High School's 96th annual commencement Saturday afternoon.

Eisele, a student in Jan Stapleton's American Sign Language class, signed the senior class motto, a quote by American author and publisher William Feather: "Success seems largely a matter of holding on after others have let go."

She was one of more than 60 graduates who received their diplomas as sunshine beat down on the seniors and a crowd of family members and friends who packed the grandstand at Glen Larkins Field. There have been few graduation days in recent years as glorious as this one in Willamina.

Guest speakers were history teacher Scott Nelson and English instructor Jennifer Shadden. Nelson's address was sprinkled with humor while Shadden took a slightly more serious approach.

"As many of you have taught me," Nelson told the graduates, "I finished this speech about 15 minutes ago."

He characterized the seniors as an amazing class for their accomplishments in athletics, drama, FFA and National Honor Society. He expressed hope they weren't texting each other or falling asleep at the sound of his voice.

"You learned to factor equations, whatever that means," Nelson said.

In closing, he challenged the seniors to "be." He urged them, "Be challenged and be victorious."

Shadden told the seniors they were gathered to "take the next step," and she outlined a passageway of memories for them, telling them they were just 8 years old at the time of the Columbine High School shooting in April 1999.

"You're unique and resilient," Shadden said. "Remember where you came from and how far you have come."

Valedictorian Anna Smith said there were pluses and minuses to going to a small high school.

"There are no secrets and you can't get away with anything," she said. "But where else can you get excused for shooting a coyote?"

She thanked her parents, Ron and Barbara, for seeing her through triumphs and failures. They never quit encouraging her, she said, and living in a rural area meant she learned how to drive a pickup at the age of 10.

"Let's make a difference in our lives and in the lives around us," Smith said. "Go forth and live life."

Eisele said her class exemplifies success, and it was a group of students who grew together as a class and stood side-by-side with one another through the good and the bad times.

Fellow salutatorian Amanda Williams said she and each of her classmates have dreams, and they are vast and varied in nature. She said it's good to dream big.

"We did it, we are here and we're ready to start the rest of our lives," Williams said.

Stapleton, who teaches health in addition to American Sign Language, was named Teacher of the Year. She is retiring after more than 28 years in the district.

Superintendent Gus Forster stepped to the podium to say a few words about her, and had a difficult time containing his emotions.

Forster said education is at a crossroads in Oregon, and the state is losing many teachers who possess the same outstanding qualities as Stapleton. He said it was an honor and a privilege to work with her, first as the high school principal/superintendent and then as the superintendent, during the past seven years.

"She's concerned, caring and always there," Forster said. "There are few like her. She's an honored and trusted teacher and we wish her the best."

The high school publication, Dawg Prints, produced a special graduation edition. And it devoted a page to Stapleton.

"She's an asset to Willamina High School, her contributions have made this a better place and she will be dearly missed," leadership/social studies teacher Mike Crowe said. "Many students and their parents will surely agree that she changed lives. Her support in and out of the classroom made students shine and feel special."

Art teacher Bill Boyson said, "Her contributions will be felt in the community for many years to come. It isn't until someone is gone that we will fully appreciate them. In the days, months and years to come, people will be able to comprehend the impact of her enthusiasm to revolutionize a student, a school and a community."

Forster is retiring as superintendent at the end of the year, but will remain in the district next year as the middle school principal. His first year in the district was 2002-03, when he replaced Gary Anderson as high school principal. He was named interim superintendent in November 2002, after the school board fired Roger Sauer.

"He's been a mentor for me," said High School Principal Tim France. "He always said, 'Do what's right for the kids.' I hope to follow in his footsteps."

Cody Strouse was honored as Boy of the Year and Bobbi Kidd as Girl of the Year.