Sisson grads take the leap to high school
He couldn’t be there physically, but Sisson graduate Clayton Berg celebrated with his class in spirit and via Skype at Thursday’s commencement ceremony.
Teacher Eric Fleischmann operated the video camera and projected Clayton and his mom, Wendy, onto the big screen next to the 61 other grads.
Clayton had an emergency appendectomy March 7 and was hospitalized for a month before being released. He spent a few weeks at home, but on the eighth grade trip, his symptoms returned and he had to be readmitted to UC Davis.
When Clayton was awarded the Kiwanis Citizenship Award during Thursday’s graduation ceremony, his good friend Wayde Burns accepted it for him.
Also receiving a Citizenship Award, presented by Sue Christopher from the Weed/Lake Shastina Kiwanis, was Harmony Yerkes.
Christopher described Harmony as kind, thoughtful, and “quietly enthusiastic,” a student who goes above and beyond and displays confidence and maturity beyond her years.
Clayton, she said, is responsible, diligent, and a positive role model. He maintains a 4.0 grade point average, serves as the student body vice president, and has become an inspiration to all.
Class President Quincie Cross was presented with the Mount Shasta City Pin by Mayor Tim Stearns. He said she often completes assignments early, is a respected leader, and is friendly and helpful.
The ceremony was made special by a performance by the Graduation Choir. Abby Budesa, Laryssa Coates, Sydney Hilleary, Aryanna Johnson, Ashley Johnson, Angelica Kelly and Ashley Taylor sang “For Good,” under the direction of Fred Wichmann, who is retiring this year.
Abby Andrus, Cami Brooks and Samantha Noel presented the class history, calling attention to events they remember from each year of school, from kindergarten to this one. They also recognized students according to which year they joined the graduating class; many have been together since kindergarten.
Presenting diplomas were Mount Shasta Union School District trustees Leslie Cole and Chuck Rosecrantz.
Presenting the new high schoolers was MSUSD superintendent Kathi Emerson, who read aloud their class quote, author unknown: “Remember yesterday, live for today, dream for tomorrow.”
The following is a list of other awards and recognitions from the June 12 ceremony:
President’s Award for Educational Excellence – 3.5 GPA or above
Clayton Berg, Aiden Bravo, Cami Brooks, Quincie Cross, Mei Lin Domanski, Sydney Hilleary, Nicole Jones, Mitchell Savarese
Principal’s Academic Award – 3.5 GPA or above during each quarter of 8th grade
Clayton Berg, Aiden Bravo, Cami Brooks, Quincie Cross, Mei Lin Domanski, Sydney Hilleary, Nicole Jones, Estefania Luquin, Marshall Parker, Mitchell Savarese
National Fit American Award
Abby Andrus, Wayde Burns, Mia Caldrer, Valerie Chang, Quincie Cross, Trinity Cummins, Mei Lin Domanski, Jedidiah Drew, Morgan Eason, Kaimana Ferguson, Ty Heyden, Sydney Hilleary, Robert Hodes, Jason Holmquist, Angelica Kelly, Taryn Linares, Estefania Luquin, Tally Marshall, Anastasia McGrew, Devin Muller, Michael Newby, Samantha Noel, Mitchell Savarese, Irina Schlossberg, Ashlynn Smith, Baylie Tobin, Harmony Yerkes
California Fit American Award
Henry Barnum, Clayton Berg, Aiden Bravo, Myles DeLeon, Duston Eoff, Rodrigo Hernandez, Ashley Johnson, Nicole Jones, Ronnie Knight, Teresa Lopez, Ernie Maumasi, Sapphire Rodericks-Wolfe, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Ashley Taylor, Gavin Tobin, Dillon Ward
Perfect Attendance
Morgan Eason and Jason Holmquist
ACSA Students
Clayton Berg, Quincie Cross
Rotary Students
Quincie Cross, Valerie Chang, Robbie Palmer, Kaimana Ferguson, Morgan Eason
Outstanding Band Student
Michael Newby
Outstanding Choir Student
Abby Budesa
Sisson Students of the Month
Sydney Hilleary, Teresa Lopez, Nicole Jones, Marshall Parker, Laryssa Coates, Wayde Burns, Robert Hodes