Friday Harbor High School 2002 graduation ceremony

Guest speaker Jay Westphalen yesterday (June 10) offered 52 Friday Harbor High School graduates a similar message as the Class of 2000’s motto, Abraham Lincoln’s observation: "The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time."

Westphalen, an elementary school teacher who taught many of the graduates, recounted "The Magic Thread," a French fable that details the life of Jack, an impatient boy. A woman with magic powers gave Jack a magic ball that the gold thread of life hung out. She gave Jack the option of letting his life thread unravel naturally, or if he felt life was boring or hard, he could pull the thread and an hour would pass in a second.

"Throughout his life, whether it was during the normal realities of everyday living when he wanted something more, or the inevitable hardships of life when he didn’t want to experience hardships of life, he would tug at his thread of life," Westphalen explained. "Before he knew it, the life thread that hung from his magic ball was no longer gold but silver. His children had grown up and they had left home to pursue their own dreams, his mother had died, he had retired, and his wife was now experiencing increasingly ill health. In fact, the temptation to relieve his wife’s suffering finally made clear to him the dilemma of the magic ball: Should he let life pursue its own pace with its natural ebb and flow or should he wish the difficulties of life and life itself away?"

"It was at this point that he returned to the forest to see the old woman who had offered him the magic ball so many years ago. She asked him, ‘Jack, have you had a good life?’ He answered: "It is true that I have never had to suffer or want for anything in my life. But because I couldn’t wait for the things I wanted, and I couldn’t bear life’s hardships; my life has passed by, not only too quickly but also without meaning, like a daydream."

Westphalen encouraged the graduates not to take the present for granted. "Let the thread of your life unravel naturally by pursuing your dreams with patience, by accepting the realities of life, and by finding joy in the present."

Valedictorian Devan Wilson suggested his classmates resolve to make a difference in life. He offered two examples of fictional individuals who made big contributions on a local level. Miss Rumphius, a children’s storybook character who beautified her homeland with lupine seeds that bloomed into blue, purple and rose-colored flowers; and George Bailey of "It's a Wonderful Life," who sees how different his hometown would’ve been if he hadn’t been born.

Wilson said our community also has many people who make a real difference in other people’s lives. Wilson noted Dan Hammond, the Friday Harbor public school’s band teacher, is one of those special people. Hammond built a band program from one student – Wilson’s older brother – into a thriving program that made two trips to Europe. "I would like to thank him publicly for making a difference in my life, and in the lives of many people here on the stage," Wilson said.

"Each of the members of our graduating class has unique, individual dreams. As we, the graduating Class of 2000, commence our new lives and our new endeavors, let us each pledge, wherever we may be, to make this world more beautiful, and most of all, to make a difference."

Co-salutatorian Robbie Sandwith asked his fellow graduates to remember lessons from island life and use them later. He pointed out the community’s generous support, opportunities to be involved in many activities that led to a better understanding of work ethic, teamwork and commitment.

Sandwith also urged the Class of 2000 to remember the diversity of the island, and "use this to help you to appreciate people’s differences and help you to grow and learn in the years to come." He reminded his classmates of the privilege they had growing up in "one of the most beautiful places in the world. Remember how much you enjoyed the beauty of the island and how precious our environment is. Help keep it this way, not only for you, but for the generations to come."

"Last, remember the friends and friendships you have made….These people are our roots, and this island is our roots. Don’t ever forget your time here or what you’ve learned here."

Co-salutatorian Lindsey Spaulding noted her class is a diverse group that was able to "participate in and experience many different things. That is mainly thanks to you, our community. You coached our teams, directed our plays, gave us music lessons, and tutored us in school. You helped us discover our passions and foster our dreams, and then you helped us achieve them. For that we are extremely grateful...."

"Because of all our experiences growing up, we are ready to face the world, and to take on its challenges. Some of us will be conquering those challenges right here on the island, while some will be going great distances to do it....With all our different dreams, next year we are scattering all over the world. Some of us may never see each other again, but we will always remember these past years fondly."

Members of Friday Harbor High School’s 88th class are helping preserve memories: They gave the school frames for old photos, which will be displayed in the school’s library.

Community businesses and groups presented the graduates with thousands of dollars in scholarships before the diplomas were conferred. After tears and hugs with classmates, family and friends, the graduates danced and cruised into adult life.

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Friday Harbor High School Graduation 2000