It’s graduation week in Philomath with the high school commencement ceremony scheduled for this coming Saturday. In the spirit of celebrating graduates, following is a list of valedictorians from 2024, 2014, 2004, 1994 and 1984.
As you’ll notice from the 1984 entry, there was only one valedictorian. In those days, it was commonplace for schools to limit the honor to a single valedictorian along with a salutatorian. It’s difficult to pin down but it appears that Philomath might’ve gone to multiple valedictorians for the first time in 1991.
1. Class of 2024
Five students have been named valedictorians for this weekend’s Philomath High School graduation. This year’s graduating class features 105 students with a ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m. June 8 at Clemens Field.
Valedictorians, which will be featured in a graduation preview story later this week, are Bailey Bell, Riven Benson, Simon King, Andrew Leonard and Ava Theurer.
2. Class of 2014
Eight students shared the valedictorian distinction in the Class of 2014, a group that overall had 112 graduates. The class had its graduation ceremony at 1 p.m. June 7 at Clemens Field.
The valedictorians included Brian Blythe, Ellie Collins, Joseph Erickson, Philip Harman, Mackenna Hart, Althea Hinds-Cook, Anna Rose Petersen and Keaton Townley.
3. Class of 2004
Six students carried the title of valedictorian with them through the commencement ceremony. In all, the class this year featured 138 students with the program taking place at 1 p.m. June 5 at Clemens Field.
The valedictorians were Brianna Anderson-Gregg, Karl Fairchild, Daniel Keese, Sonja McMackin, Caitlin Phillips and Sarah Tofflemire.
4. Class of 1994
Philomath High’s Class of 1994 had co-valedictorians out of a class of 122 students. The graduation ceremony took place at 1 p.m. June 11 at Clemens Field.
Earning the distinction this year were Miguel Boriss and Skye Hewes.
5. Class of 1984
Philomath High’s Class of 1984 featured 76 graduates. The ceremony was held in the school’s gymnasium at 8 p.m. June 8. Jennifer Steinbrenner was chosen as the class valedictorian.
(Brad Fuqua is publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He can be reached at News@PhilomathNews.com).
