Amid the goodbye hugs and well-wishes of graduation this year stood a few Auburn Adventist Academy (AAA) students who had a bit more history than the rest of their class — 12 years of history in fact.
Michael Hanek and Rachel Kim first attended Buena Vista Elementary School in Auburn, Wash., and then AAA together. Olivia Hall, Hana Kramer and Scott Pugh attended Northwest Christian School in Puyallup, Wash., together since first grade before transferring to AAA.
"Being together for 12 years is a cool experience," says Kramer, a graduate from Puyallup. "You get to see people grow and change, and it is easy being around them. You know how to act, and you know where you fit in. And you don't have to be shy or nervous around them."
Graduation is always a special moment whether you have been with your classmates for one year or 12. But the goodbyes might be just a little bit harder for those who have been sharing pencils and playing together at recess for so long.
"High school has been a really cool experience, being able to spend a good, solid chunk of my life growing in the Adventist community," says Hanek, a graduate from Bonney Lake, Wash. "The friends I have made have been nothing but an awesome impact on my life."
Michael Hanek and Hilary Rogers (Jessi Turner)
Rachel Kim receives her diploma from Samir Berbawy, AAA principal. (Jessi Turner)
Auburn Adventist Academy graduates Hana Kramer, Olivia Hall and Scott Pugh (center) attended 12 years of school together. (Caleb Riston)
Hana Kramer, Olivia Hall and Scott Pugh with friends. (Caleb Riston)
