Cougars pounce toward future careers as class of 2019 receive diplomas

Class of 2019 will be the last graduating class in the old Central Kitsap High School building

By Tyler Shuey • June 17, 2019 1:30 am

A proud and accomplished group of 325 seniors from Central Kitsap High School walked across the stage at the Kitsap Sun Pavilion Saturday to receive their high school diplomas and embark on a journey unique to each individual.

The event also marked the last group of graduates from the old CKHS building as district officials will be opening a new high school building next fall. 119 scholarships were awarded to the class of 2019. Valedictorians were Fritz Humm (MIT – Aerospace Engineering) and Alexa Watson (University of San Diego – Neuroscience).

Salutatorians are as follows:

Matyas Kisiday – Stanford University – Physics
Khoi-Viet Le – University of Washington – undecided
Woon Na – planning to attend an international university in Japan to study Biology
Ryan Nguyen – University of San Diego – Dentistry/Orthodontics

“We are truly honored to be here today representing Central Kitsap High School class of 2019,” Watson said just before the turning of the tassels. “The past four years have provided a foundation for the rest of our lives. Our story has just begun.”

“Thank you for shaping us into the people we are today,” senior graduate Jasmine Lee said of the graduates’ parents. “We truly could not have done it without you; we hope we made you proud.”

“Your voice is a powerful one, so don’t be afraid to speak up, take risks and hold your friends close,” Lee continued. “You have a bright future in front of you and we can’t wait to see what you’re made of.”

“I look in the crowd and see artists, musicians, actors, singers, dancers, you name it. I look out in the crowd and I see people who are going to change the world someday. Class of 2019, no matter what happens next, continue to do what makes you happy.”

Central Kitsap School District Superintendent David McVicker urged the students to keep searching for what they love.

“Some of you have found your passion and you know what it is,” he said. “Others know what your passion is not. The rest of you, keep looking. Find your passion, do what’s right, do things for others and the rest will take care of itself.”

—Tyler Shuey is a reporter for Kitsap News Group. He can be reached at tshuey@soundpublishing.com