GRADUATES HONORED AT AWARDS CEREMONY
On June 7, Sanhedrin High School graduates, staff, Willits Unified School District (WUSD) board members, Superintendent Joe Aldridge, family and community members gathered for the Sanhedrin Awards Ceremony.
The Blue Zones Project of Mendocino County, Willits Sober Grad, Mendocino College and the U.S. Army set up informational booths providing a festive atmosphere on the warm spring day.
Sanhedrin teacher Yuliya Ritchley presented the Hawk Award, which she described as a citizenship and character award with the qualifications that the student must demonstrate a strong moral compass, demonstrate positive leadership skills and the ability to turn the other cheek. The award was given to Shelby Loudermilk, who met and exceeded the qualifications and after a brief period of not attending her classes came back stronger than ever. Being a teen parent, she brought her baby with her to school when necessary and presented her final holding her child. Ritchley said, “We are very proud of you; great job Shelby.”
Loudermilk said her group of friends were encouraging, helping her stay motivated to complete her coursework and graduate, however she stated the motivation to come back and finish school was, “For my daughter.” Loudermilk is beginning the CNA program at Northbrook Healthcare Center later this month
The Student of the Year award was presented by Independent Study teacher Jessie Rees and was awarded to Shane Whitelaw, who completed over 90 units in two trimesters, graduating two years early at 15 years old. Rees said, “I really appreciate the positive encouragement to your peers as well — good job.”
Independent Study teacher Ken Pedersen presented another Student of the Year Award to David Cramer. He said, “This student was absolutely a driven kid.” Cramer is graduating a year early.
The last award of the afternoon was the Principal's Award, presented by Ritchley, which went to Alyssa Scarberry who could not attend the ceremony. Ritchley said, “To qualify the student has to demonstrate perseverance and change.” Scarberry was the first Sanhedrin graduate to go straight to a fouryear university and will be heading to California State University Chico in the fall.
Drinks and cake were enjoyed. WUSD Board Member Jeanne King said, “I'm really excited that they are having such a wonderful event. Sanhedrin serves a lot of families and a lot of students in this community.”
Graduating student Rosa Carrillo attended the ceremony and said of graduating, “”It feels good, I am excited to move on to the next chapter.” She plans to move out of the area to attend cosmetology school.
Azucena Chavez-huerta and Ryan Veness of the Blue Zones Project brought out the blender bike to make smoothies and had a plethora of give-aways for the graduates. Veness said the Blue Zones Project will do an official kickoff in Willits next month. He said, “We are so excited about that.”
Chavez-huerta added that the walking group, Walking Moai, is already up and running. She said, “Moai is a group of people that gathers for a common purpose. One of the best ways that we can get started is getting people out and walking, building those social connections that we kind of lost with Covid.” She explained they are trying to get walking Moai groups up and running throughout Mendocino County. Visit https://mec.bluezonesproject.com/home for more information.