Collins High School graduation ceremony | Slideshow

Collins High School celebrated the class of 2012 during a commencement ceremony Friday in the White River High auditorium.

The  White River alternative program presented diplomas to 57 graduates with parents, friends and staff cheering and applauding the students’ accomplishments.

Among the interesting facts presented by the staff, 12 from this class were the first to graduate in their family, 18 earned diplomas while working outside jobs and seven graduated early. Also, 38 plan to attend advanced education programs and two are joining the military.

Among those receiving scholarships were Alexandria Mitchell, Distinguished Young Women award, Luke VanKooten, Enumclaw Rotary scholarship, and Seantae Mason, Imagine America. Getaya Anderson and Karah Young were award scholarships from the Buckley Log Show.

Sean O’Crotty was awarded a Pierce College scholarship for one-year paid tuition, worth more than $7,000.

Alexis Hanson said of her graduation, “Alternative schools have a bad reputation and they don’t deserve it. They provide a more comfortable school setting and more independence. I am proud to say I am an online student and proud to represent the alternative schools. I hope they keep alternatives around so they can present alternatives to other students.”

Andre Comer said he had gone to White River High as a sophomore.

“I was never doing well in my classes,” Comer said. “My mom enrolled me in Collins and it was probably one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. It’s a lot different than other schools. The staff, you can bond with them…. Just because we are from an alternative school, does not mean that we are not going to be going far.”

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