EDITOR’S NOTE: The date of the Peninsula College commencement ceremony has been corrected.
Commencement ceremonies for the class of 2015 are scheduled to begin at North Olympic Peninsula high schools tonight.
This weekend, five schools will confer diplomas to about 500 seniors in ceremonies in front of their family, friends and teachers.
The first week of graduations includes ceremonies for Port Townsend, Chimacum, Forks and the combined Quilcene and Crossroads high schools.
The total number of graduates in each class is estimated until all final grades and exam results are complete.
Port Townsend
The Port Townsend School District will award diplomas to about 100 members of the Redhawks’ class of 2015 at 7 p.m. today at McCurdy Pavilion, 200 Battery Way, Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend.
Due to limited seating, entrance to the commencement ceremony will be by ticket only.
Tickets are distributed to seniors and are not available to the public.
Co-valedictorians will be Andrew Anthony and Ryan Clarke, and the salutatorian is Louise Bednarik.
Colin Coker and Rose Ridder were selected by students and faculty to speak.
Chimacum
The Chimacum School District will award diplomas to 75 members of the Cowboys’ class of 2015 at 1 p.m. Saturday at McCurdy Pavilion.
Tickets are not required. Doors open at noon.
The valedictorian is Orion Weller, and the salutatorian is Colton Shaw.
Levi Clum and Alyssa Wolfe were elected by staff as selected speakers, while student body co-presidents Alyssa Hamilton and Kiersten Snyder will deliver a student address on behalf of the student government.
Quilcene/Crossroads
The Quilcene School District will award diplomas to 12 members of the Rangers’ class of 2015 at 2 p.m. Saturday in the gymnasium at 294715 U.S. Highway 101.
The students attended Quilcene High School and Crossroads Community School.
The class valedictorian is Samantha Rae and the salutatorian is Andrew Soderberg.
Mark Thompson, school athletic director and history teacher, will be the staff speaker.
Forks
The Quillayute Valley School District will award diplomas to 70 members of the Spartans’ class of 2015 at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Forks High gymnasium, 261 Spartan Ave.
The class valedictorian is Brooke Jacoby, and the salutatorian is Brooke Peterson.
Speakers will be Brenda King and Wendy Bennett.
Other rites
North Olympic Peninsula commencement ceremonies will continue next week.
The schedule is:
■ Lincoln High School — 6 p.m. Thursday, Peninsula College Little Theater, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles.
■ Sequim High School — 6 p.m. Friday, June 12, Sequim High School stadium, 601 N. Sequim Ave.
■ Neah Bay High School — 7 p.m. Friday, June 12, Neah Bay High gymnasium, 3560 Deer St.
■ Port Angeles High School — 7:30 p.m. June 12, Civic Field, corner of East Fourth and South Race streets.
■ Clallam Bay High School — 2 p.m. Saturday, June 13, Clallam Bay High gymnasium, 16933 state Highway 112.
■ Crescent High School — 3 p.m. June 13, Crescent High gymnasium, 50350 state Highway 112, Joyce.
Peninsula College will conduct ceremonies starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 20 in the gymnasium on the campus at 1502 E. Lauridsen, Port Angeles.
Students of Distinction
Meanwhile, the Peninsula Daily News will again publish a magazine, Students of Distinction, featuring photos of all North Olympic Peninsula high school honors and scholarship recipients Sunday, June 28.
In addition to the honor students, the names of all graduates will appear in the keepsake publication.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.