The 20 seniors graduating this week are Cody Barnes, Clara Edens, Shelton Eklund, Ava Raye Garrett, Caiden Gillen, Katelynn Gillen, Kalee Herman, Ben Houser, Paige Hoyt, Gavin Hunt, Christina Johnson, Brody Knecht, Boomchain Loucks, William Massin, Tyra Meissner, Annabell Muir, Ian Nelson, Shailyn Nelson, Jackson Powers and Johanna Sanford.
Eight of the soon-to-be graduates took time from their busy pre-graduation days to answer questions about looking back and looking ahead. Here are their responses.


Katelynn Gillen
Favorite things about going to school in Wrangell? “The closeness and freedom we have as students.”

What’s your advice for next year’s seniors? “Take the year to have fun your last school year. Take the least amount of classes you can and enjoy your last year. Senior year is very stressful, spend the time enjoying life in school with the people you’ve grown up with. Be nice to the freshman and include everyone, make new friends and help others make new friends. You’re a senior now but you know what it was like to be a freshman.”

Are you staying in Wrangell or going away, and why? “I’ll be attending the Trident Seafood trainee program at the trade school in Seward.”

What would you like to change about the world? “The cruel character people give off. You never know what someone is going through; why make someone’s life harder.”


Kalee Herman
Favorite things about going to school in Wrangell? “School trips.”

What’s your advice for next year’s seniors? “Be OK with your plans changing.”

Are you staying in Wrangell or going away, and why? “I’m going to college. I’m going to Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.”

What would you like to change about the world? “Make houses affordable again.”


Ben Houser
Favorite things about going to school in Wrangell? “How close knit we are and how everyone works together.”

What’s your advice for next year’s seniors? “Take Post Prep!”

Are you staying in Wrangell or going away, and why? “I plan to leave to attend college and explore what the world has to offer. I plan to attend college in Long Island, New York.”

What would you like to change about the world? “I would like to change discrimination between people’s ideas. We should all look at other people’s ideas as something we may not understand instead of something that is wrong or bad.”


Paige Hoyt
Favorite things about going to school in Wrangell? “I liked being able to do sports without the restrictions that you might have at bigger schools. Also, there is a lot of help for scholarship opportunities.”

What’s your advice for next year’s seniors? “Don’t have your heart dead set on one thing, as things might change a lot from what you originally had planned.”

Are you staying in Wrangell or going away, and why? “I’m going to California for school, at USC. I’m going because I like meeting and being around new people every day. Also, there are lots and lots more and better opportunities for my career outside of Wrangell.”

What would you like to change about the world? “I would like to change people’s mindsets. I think if we as a society were more open minded to new ideas rather than clinging to what we know best, the world would feel a lot more welcoming and comfortable.”


Boomchain Loucks
Favorite things about going to school in Wrangell? “Teachers and students are very nice.”

What’s your advice for next year’s seniors? “Try things you were scared to try earlier. Save money if you can, even a little.”

Are you staying in Wrangell or going away, and why? “I’m going to college in Bellingham, Washington.”

What would you like to change about the world? “I’d want more fairness in access to basic needs like education, health care and safety, no matter where someone is born.”


Annabell Muir
Favorite things about going to school in Wrangell? “I enjoyed all of the opportunities you can get through the school, like Art Fest and Music Fest and all of the college classes they have to offer.”

What’s your advice for next year’s seniors? “Do your work and don’t procrastinate.”

Are you staying in Wrangell or going away, and why? “I want to go to school in Arizona.”

What would you like to change about the world? “Free gas, no taxes, infinite money.”


Ian Nelson
Favorite things about going to school in Wrangell? “The camaraderie.”

What’s your advice for next year’s seniors? “Stay focused.”

Are you staying in Wrangell or going away, and why? “I’m leaving because I joined the Air Force. I will go wherever the Air Force sends me.”

What would you like to change about the world? “Environmental conservation.”


Jackson Powers
Favorite things about going to school in Wrangell? “Seeing friends.”

What’s your advice for next year’s seniors? “Work hard, stay diligent and never give up.”

Are you staying in Wrangell or going away, and why? “Moving to Idaho … $$$.”

What would you like to change about the world? “The work ethic of the next generation.”