Lincoln High helps student to stay and graduate with classmates

PORT ANGELES — At one time, Alexis Biss didn’t think she would graduate from high school.

But today — one day after her 18th birthday — Biss and about 20 Lincoln High School classmates will participate in a commencement ceremony.

The class will walk the stage at 4 p.m. during the ceremony at Peninsula College’s Little Theater at Peninsula College, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The commencement is one of two planned this week. About 240 students will graduate from Port Angeles High School at 8 p.m. Friday in the school gymnasium at 304 E. Park Ave.

Other North Olympic Peninsula graduation ceremonies occurred earlier this month.

Sophomore year

During her sophomore year at Port Angeles High School, Biss began considering working full time, so she enrolled in the Insight School of Washington online high school.

But after enrolling, she decided the online classes weren’t the right fit.

“By that time I had missed so much, I was really behind in my classes,” Biss said.

“I went back to the high school, but my teachers were saying, ‘Girl, you are really falling behind.'”

Her first thought was of taking the test for a General Educational Development certificate, which is an alternative to a high school diploma.

“I didn’t think it would be possible to graduate with my class,” Biss said.

“And if I wasn’t going to do that, I would have dropped out.

“Just the thought of waiting until 2011. . . I didn’t want to think about it.”

Biss transferred to Lincoln High School, where Principal Cindy Crumb helped her contract classes and organize her schedule to make up her missed credits.

“She is a great example of a kid who, without us, might have dropped out,” Crumb said.

“She has a lot of potential and is very smart and very bright, but just wasn’t doing very well at high school because of the circumstances.”

Tutored student

For one of her class periods, Crumb arranged for Biss to tutor a student at Stevens Middle School.

Crumb said Biss is “amazing, dependable, sweet and mature.”

Biss said she worked with the student, who is blind, both at lunch time and at other times to teach her to type on a keyboard.

“She was doing so well,” Biss said. “I’m so proud of how well she’s done.

“I never thought I was having an impact until she had improved so much.”

When the evaluation from Stevens Middle School was delivered, Crumb said she was proud of Biss.

“That was the first thing out of my mouth — I’m so proud of you, Alexis,” Crumb said.

“But the first thing out of her mouth was, ‘I’m so proud of her.'”

Biss said she plans to major in early childhood education at Peninsula College.

“I would like to work at a day care and at some point in the future my dream would be to run a day care,” Biss said.

“I love the little kids. First grade and younger are my favorite age group.”

Biss said she is looking forward to summer. She plans to search for a job at a day care center while she works her way through college.

“I can’t wait,” she said. “I’m so excited.”

__________

Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris to her grandson, Damien Millet, 9, after it was located with a metal detector and dug from the sand at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles on Wednesday. They were combing the beach in search of whatever hidden treasures they could find. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Beach combing

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris… Continue reading

Six Peninsula school measures passing

Sequim voters approve bond, levy

Port Townsend, Chimacum pass school levies

Funds will support facilities, supplies, transportation

Counties can collect up to $1.80 of property tax per $1,000 of assessed value, but they are only allowed to increase their property tax collection amount by 1 percent each year, excluding new construction, without voter approval.
Clallam already eyeing 2026 cuts

If county can’t raise revenue, it may cut employees, services

Port Angeles School Board to conduct community conversation

Port Angeles School Board members will be available to… Continue reading

After-school art program returns to Stevens Middle School

Let’s Make Art, a free after-school program at Stevens… Continue reading

Department of Licensing offices to be closed

PORT ANGELES – The Department of Licensing office of the Clallam County… Continue reading

Voters approving all Peninsula school measures

Sequim bond passing with required supermajority

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Clallam County election workers Neva Miller, right, and Debbie Kracht, both of Sequim, open election ballots on Tuesday at the courthouse in Port Angeles.
Ballot sorting in Port Angeles

Clallam County election workers Neva Miller, right, and Debbie Kracht, both of… Continue reading

Jefferson County board to select interim sheriff

Chosen candidate will serve until next election

State funding challenges dominate legislative conversations

Multiple bills may have local relevance

PA’s Platypus Marine looks to expansion

Growth benefits local economy