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This past Sunday, May 17th was the graduation program at East Richland High School for the Class of 2015. It was significant to me for several reasons.
1) This was my last as the principal of ERHS. I am moving to a new position in the district office, effective July 1st. Graduation has always been one of those things for me that has a special meaning, and having been the person primarily responsible for it during the past 11 years, it has had added significance.
2) This was the first graduation since the East Richland School District annexed in the West Richland School District. The teachers and students gained from this annexation have had a very positive impact on the school.
3) This was the first graduation program since we instituted a new system of honor recognition for seniors. I am going to post more information about this later.
A couple of years ago I attempted to put into perspective for our students the legacy and tradition of the school and its alumni network. This is the 143rd graduation program, dating back to when the school was named Olney Township High School, so in that length of time it would be difficult to calculate the number of students that have graduated from this high school. However, the school has been in its current location since the 1952-1953 school year, so it is easier to estimate the number of graduates.
There have been 63 graduating classes since the current building opened, so my estimate is between 12,000 - 15,000 students have walked the stage and received a diploma. This is a large alumni network that has distinguished themselves locally and throughout the nation. They are leaders in the community, business, government, medicine, law, and many other vocations. The Class of 2015 should be proud to join this network.
