• Allessandra Bakker, right, and Kamilla Grimmer chat before Wednesday evening’s ceremony. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Marissa Zeller (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • School Board member Rick Wells presents graduate Marissa Zeller with her diploma. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Skylar Witmer plans to become an apprentice to learn a trade. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Skylar Witmer (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Kalani Abadilla Weir (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Kalani Abadilla Weir reads a welcome message to those in attendance at Wednesday’s event. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Ivei Tussing (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Trayson Parmelee (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Haylee Nordyke (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Addison Mussatti is all smiles while returning to her seat after picking up her diploma. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Addison Mussatti (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Addison Mussatti (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Now officially graduates, the Philomath Academy Class of 2024 throws their mortar boards into the air. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Tristan Hubbard (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Chloe Hendrickson (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Superintendent Susan Halliday, who also served as Philomath Academy’s principal this academic year, makes an appearance at the podium. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Kamilla Grimmer smiles at family members while making her way back to her seat. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Kamilla Grimmer celebrates in the moment. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Kamilla Grimmer (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Wyatt Garwood (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Keegen Evans (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Philomath Academy counselor Beth Edgemon gets ready to introduce the valedictorian. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Caden Anderton heads back to his seat while Justin Garron gets ready to read the name of the next graduate. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Allessandra Bakker (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Allessandra Bakker delivers the valedictorian speech. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • The Class of 2024, family friends, staff and more gathered Wednesday evening for Philomath Academy’s graduation ceremony. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Allessandra Bakker (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Phillip Ayer gave the staff address during Wednesday’s event. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Caden Anderton (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Philomath Academy graduates sit in the front row while listening to the various speakers. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • One of the younger attendees at Wednesday evening’s event. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Graduate Tristan Hubbard waits quietly in the Philomath Academy classroom for Wednesday night’s event to begin. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)

Brad Fuqua has covered the Philomath area since 2014 as the editor of the now-closed Philomath Express and currently as publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He has worked as a professional journalist since 1988 at daily and weekly newspapers in Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, Arizona, Montana and Oregon.