High schoolers enjoyed the annual Senior Skip Day on May 7, including a boat ride aboard Alaska Vistas to Vank Island. Seniors on the boat (front to back, starting on the left side of the seating) Anika Herman, Kayla Young, parent Clarissa Young, Trevyn Gillen (obscured), Keaton Gadd, Kyan Stead and Daniel Harrison; (front to back, right side of the seating) Ander Edens, Della Churchill, Aubrey Wynne, Clara Waddington, Adeline Andrews and Johnny Allen.
The 15 seniors graduating this week are Johnny Allen, Adeline Andrews, Vanessa Barnes, Della Churchill, Ander Edens, Keaton Gadd, Trevyn Gillen, Daniel Harrison, Anika Herman, Max Lloyd, Lucas Schneider, Kyan Stead, Clara Waddington, Aubrey Wynne and Kayla Young.
Fourteen took time from their already busy days to answer questions about what lies ahead for each. Here are their responses.
Johnny Allen
What's your favorite thing about going to school in Wrangell?
"Going home."
What's your advice for next year's seniors?
"Do exactly what the teachers say and everything's easy."
What would you like to change about the world?
"Cost of fuel."
What are your reasons for staying or going?
"I want to leave, not stay, tired of living in such a small town."
Adeline Andrews
What's your favorite thing about going to school in Wrangell?
"The sports program."
What's your advice for next year's seniors?
"Take post-prep class if you plan to go to college."
What would you like to change about the world?
"I would change how careless it is."
What are your reasons for staying or going?
"I hate how small it is and I want to meet more people."
Vanessa Barnes
What's your favorite thing about going to school in Wrangell?
"People, sports."
What's your advice for next year's seniors?
"Soak up every moment; it goes by fast."
What would you like to change about the world?
"Make more time to spend with loved ones and building experiences."
What are your reasons for staying or going?
"Working."
Della Churchill
What's your favorite thing about going to school in Wrangell?
"Small amount of people, so the teachers have time to help each kid if they need it."
What's your advice for next year's seniors?
"Start your resume early and keep track of your volunteer hours."
What would you like to change about the world?
"Inflation."
What are your reasons for staying or going?
"I feel my dad here. It's the only place I've ever lived and it is so beautiful, so after college I will be moving back."
Ander Edens
What's your favorite thing about going to school in Wrangell?
"Music, and the wonderful teachers."
What's your advice for next year's seniors?
"Stay in school, but the trades are looking really hot."
What would you like to change about the world?
"I would like to make cheap transportation and energy, but truthfully I would like to inspire others to be their own person and be free, independent thinkers."
What are your reasons for staying or going?
"There are limited options for my occupation as of 2025. In the future, I would like to come back up to live comfortably when I can work remotely or build opportunity here."
Keaton Gadd
What's your favorite thing about going to school in Wrangell?
"Teachers know you on a personal level. They care more."
What's your advice for next year's seniors?
"Only show up if you have to."
What would you like to change about the world?
"Litterbugs."
What are your reasons for staying or going?
"Leaving for vocational school."
Trevyn Gillen
What's your favorite thing about going to school in Wrangell?
"Being with all of my friends."
What's your advice for next year's seniors?
"Don't skip class too much."
What would you like to change about the world?
"Homelessness."
What are your reasons for staying or going?
"Leaving for college."
Daniel Harrison
What's your favorite thing about going to school in Wrangell?
"My favorite part about going to school in Wrangell was being able to compete and travel for sports with so many good people and friends."
What's your advice for next year's seniors?
"My advice would be to work hard and look for opportunities that will help you prepare for life after high school."
What would you like to change about the world?
"I would like to make the world a happier place."
Do you plan to stay in Wrangell or move away?
"I plan on staying in Wrangell."
What are your reasons for staying or going?
"I have a full-time position working for the borough's finance department and I am currently finishing my education through the University of Alaska online program."
Anika Herman
What's your favorite thing about going to school in Wrangell?
"The activities."
What's your advice for next year's seniors?
"Stay motivated to graduate, it's worth it."
What would you like to change about the world?
"I believe things happen for a reason, but I would want to change people's hatred."
What are your reasons for staying or going?
"I am leaving because I feel like there is more out there that I want to find out about my life."
Maxwell Lloyd
What's your favorite thing about going to school in Wrangell?
"My favorite part of going to Wrangell High School was the shop programs."
What's your advice for next year's seniors?
"Do your senior project as early as possible. It's going to turn into more work than you think, and at the end of the school year you are going to have a lot of other things to worry about."
What would you like to change about the world?
"Everyone's got to stop worrying about the rest of the world. If everyone focuses on bettering themselves every day, the world will be better off."
What are your reasons for staying or going?
"The opportunities I want to take are elsewhere. Also, all my family have moved away as well. I will live in Dutch Harbor for the next few years, then hopefully move down to Montana afterward."
Lucas Schneider
What's your favorite thing about going to school in Wrangell?
"See the same people every day."
What's your advice for next year's seniors?
"It's the same as every year."
What would you like to change about the world?
"World hunger."
What are your reasons for staying or going?
"I'm leaving for college, and the job I want isn't available here."
Clara Waddington
What's your favorite thing about going to school in Wrangell?
"Memories of my best friend Mara."
What's your advice for next year's seniors?
"Try and take online classes that aren't offered in school, if you have the opportunity."
What would you like to change about the world?
"Primarily I would want to change social normalities."
What are your reasons for staying or going?
"Eventually I will leave because the opportunities and experiences I crave are elsewhere."
Aubrey Wynne
What's your favorite thing about going to school in Wrangell?
"Outdoor adventures."
What's your advice for next year's seniors?
"Don't procrastinate."
What would you like to change about the world?
"I would like to change the absent rules in school."
What are your reasons for staying or going?
"I plan to go to college and come back after. I love the community activities."
Kayla Young
What's your favorite thing about going to school in Wrangell?
"How small classes are, and opportunities to travel provided by the school."
What's your advice for next year's seniors?
"Apply to every scholarship you can!"
What would you like to change about the world?
"The way neurodiversity is stereotyped and misunderstood."
What are your reasons for staying or going?
"I am going to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to get as educated as I can in special education, to eventually have the opportunity to come back to Wrangell."
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