Perserverance was the buzz word at Collins High School commencement exercises Friday night as more than 30 graduates walked across the White River High School auditorium stage to receive their diplomas.

Principal Mark Westerfield addressed the graduates and the packed theater in what was a brief and dignified ceremony. He quoted Winston Churchill on success and how it is courage that counts and Dr. Seuss on individuality, “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

Collins High School is a cooperative venture between the Enumclaw, White River, Orting and Sumner school districts. Graduation numbers included those who were also part of the online learning program.

Hayley Noelle Paulsen was the night’s big scholarship winner, receiving the Enumclaw Rotary Club’s $1,000 award, as well as Pierce College’s Pierce First Scholarship, which covers tuition for the 2009-10 school year, a value of $3,000.

Ashlee Parks received the Buckley Log Show Scholarship for $500.