Polson grads take flight

POLSON — Friends and family gathered in the Linderman gym Saturday afternoon to watch the Polson High School class of 2011 commence a new life chapter.

The talented class had not one, not two, but six valedictorians, namely:

All six, along with salutatorian, name, addressed the packed gymnasium with messages of gratitude for teachers and parents and messages of hope for the future.

"This is not a silent movie, our voices will save our lives," said valedictorian Sierra Pete, quoting Native American author and poet, Sherman Alexie. Clad in traditional Navajo dress as a tribute to her heritage, Pete, the final valedictorian to speak, encouraged her classmates to remain true to their families and cultures.

Student speeches were followed by a presentation recognizing those students who received scholarship money for continued studies and those who will be joining the armed forces.

Name, a counselor for Polson High School, commended the class of 2011 for earning a collective $600,000 in scholarships. She also thanked the community, on behalf of the students, for providing the class with over $150,000 in support throughout their academic career.

After crossing the stage to receive diplomas from members of the Polson board of educators, the 125 Polson seniors, dressed in purple and white robes officially became 125 Polson High School alumni.

Scholarships:

Jesse Alfiero, Mission Valley Power Student Award, Ursinus College Fund, Ursinus College Achievement Award, George and Florence Clarkson Scholarship

Nicholas Andrews, Total Screen Design Scholarship

Nina Araos, Keith D. Wright Memorial Scholarship, Polson Rotary Scholarship

Kyle Bagnell, Oklahoma State University Baseball Scholarship, Oklahoma State University Academic Scholarship

Jacob Bash, Masters Commission Scholarship

Cody Basler, Total Screen Design Scholarship

Dale Big Sam, UM Western Football Scholarship, Peggy Unrau Scholarship

Bryan Brady, Salish Kootenai College Scholarship

Karli Chlarson, Mission Valley Power Student Award

Sarah Devlin, Doreen Alexander Memorial Scholarship, George and Faye Harris Scholarship, Lambeth Memorial Scholarship, Polson Rotary Scholarship, Mars and Verna Rolfson Scholarship, Dorris D. Harbert Scholarship

Kayla Duford, Plum Creek Community Scholarship, University of Montana Dubay Scholarship, Montana University System Honor Scholarship, Polson Dollars for Scholars John Oberlitner Scholarship, Polson Dollars for Scholars Toby Nelson Scholarship, George and Faye Harris Scholarship, Lambeth Memorial Scholarship, Polson Rotary Scholarship, Dorris D. Harbert Scholarship, Peggy Unrau Scholarship

Jason Fant, Emma Sager Women of Rollins Club Scholarship

Sheldon Fisher, Salish Kootenai College Scholarship

Devlin Foubert, Polson Dollars for Scholars Montecahto Club Scholarship

Nation Garza, Mary Lou Fugleberg Scholarship, Polson Kiwanis Club Scholarship, Northwest College Dean's Scholarship, Northwest College Success Scholarship, American Legion Oratorical Contest Winner, Polson Rotary Scholarship, Riley Grogan, Carroll College Presidential Scholarship

Sean Hart, Bertram and Alta Hochmark Scholarship, Polson Kiwanis Club Scholarship, Polson Beta Sigma Phi Torch Scholarship, Northwest College Success Scholarship, Northwest College Academic Scholarship, Northwest College Talent Scholarship, Dorris D. Harbert Scholarship

Taurie Hayes, George and Florence Clarkson Scholarship

Danielle Howlett, Polson Elks Lodge Scholarship, Plum Creek Community Scholarship, Montana State Elks Association Scholarship, Montana University System Honor Scholarship, University of Montana Honors Scholarship, Polson Kiwanis Club Scholarship, Polson Dollars for Scholars John Oberlitner Scholarship, George and Faye Harris Scholarship, Dorris D. Harbert Scholarship, Peggy Unrau Scholarship

Madison Hunter, Polson Dollars for Scholars District 23 Employees' Scholarship, Mars and Verna Rolfson Scholarship, George and Florence Clarkson Scholarship, Dakotah Jenson, Dorris D. Harbert Scholarship

Breanne Kelley, Bertram and Alta Hochmark Scholarship, UM-Western Volleyball Scholarship, Polson Dollars for Scholars Class of '59 Scholarship, George and Faye Harris Scholarship, Polson Rotary Scholarship, Peggy Unrau Scholarship

Joshua Lafferty, Salish Kootenai College Scholarship

Rebecca Lake, University of Great Falls Rodeo Scholarship, University of Great Falls Academic Scholarship

Zion Lee, Polson Dollars for Scholars Anonymous Scholarship

Shane Leineke, University of Montana Cheerleading Scholarship

Dylan Mills, University of Montana Scholars Award

Louis Mohr, Salish Kootenai College Scholarship

Trever Moll, Northwest College Success Scholarship, Northwest College Academic Scholarship, Northwest College Drama Scholarship, Northwest College Talent Scholarship, Peggy Unrau Scholarship

Jaime Morelli, Daughters of the American Revolution Essay Contest Winner, Polson Kiwanis Club Scholarship, University of Montana Scholars Award, Polson Lady Elks Scholarship, Mars and Verna Rolfson Scholarship, Dorris D. Harbert Scholarship

Jacie Morrison, Polson Rotary Scholarship

Andrew Murphy, University of Montana Cheerleading Scholarship

Sierra Pete, Gates Millenium Scholarship, Polson Dollars for Scholars District 23 Employees Scholarship, Washington State University Cougar Academic Award

Jose' Quinones, Polson Dollars for Scholars John Oberlitner Scholarship, George and Florence Clarkson Scholarship

Molly Ricketts, Montana Governors' Merit-at-Large Scholarship

Kendyall Rochin, Mars and Verna Rolfson Scholarship, George and Florence Clarkson Scholarship

Laura Rost, Montana State University Premier Scholarship, Bertram and Alta Hochmark Scholarship, George and Florence Clarkson Scholarship

Joshua Rustad, Jamestown College Baseball Scholarship

Sallie Sams, UM Western Volleyball Scholarship, Polson Rotary Scholarship

Angela Santana, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Scholarship, Mars and Verna Rolfson Scholarship, Dorris D. Harbert Scholarship

Mesa Starkey, Montana State University Track/Cross Country Scholarship

Andrew Storro, Bertram and Alta Hochmark Scholarship, Montana Tech Chancellor's Scholarship, Montana Tech Marcus Daly Silver Scholarship, Polson Elks Lodge Scholarship, Montana State Elks Association Scholarship, R. F. Chadwick Foundation Scholarship, Montana Governor's Best & Brightest Merit Scholarship, George and Faye Harris Scholarship, Polson Rotary Scholarship, Peggy Unrau Scholarship, Mission Valley Masonic Lodge Scholarship

Reegan von Wildenradt, Montana University System Honor Scholarship, Polson Dollars for Scholars Freshman Scholarship, Emma Sager Women of Rollins Club Scholarship, University of Montana Honors Scholarship, University of Montana Scholars Award, Mars and Verna Rolfson Scholarship, Dorris D. Harbert Scholarship

John Walk, Montana Tech Chancellor's Scholarship, Montana Tech Band Scholarship, George and Faye Harris Scholarship, Polson Rotary Scholarship, Dorris D. Harbert Scholarship

Amy Williamson, Polson Father's Day Golf Tournament Scholarship

Kodi Woods, Montana State University Premier Scholarship, Mars and Verna Rolfson Scholarship, Dorris D. Harbert Scholarship, Peggy Unrau Scholarship