It’s been a busy four years for the South Whidbey High School graduates of 2006, three of whom managed perfect grade point averages. They include a community volunteer, an athlete and student who is passionate about learning.

Today, 150 graduates will receive diplomas during South Whidbey High School’s commencement ceremony at noon at the high school. Among the cap-and-gown crowd will be Natania Asay, Katherine East and Joseph McArdle, the school’s three valedictorians who will be honored for their perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Salutatorians John Gerlach and Oliver Shafaat who were nearly perfect, each earning a 3.99 GPA , will also be honored.

The trio of valedictorians will speak during their graduation ceremony. They took a few moments out of their busy graduation week to reflect life on South Whidbey and their plans for the future.

A common theme among the three students: Gratitude for their families, appreciation for the quality of education at South Whidbey High School and a love for the beauty of Whidbey Island.

All three are looking forward to college and the new friends and experiences that it will bring. Each, however, is leaving the island and their families behind with a bit of sadness.

Natania Asay

Daughter of Kevin and Stephanie Asay, Langley

Natania Asay found time for extensive studying and numerous extra-curricular activities. Not only did she earn perfect grades, but she tutored other students, volunteered in her community and church and served as an officer in high school government.

Asay found time to tutor middle school students and volunteer for Big Brother Big Sister program. She was the public relations officer this year for the Associated Student Body at the high school. Religion is also a vital part of who she is; Asay is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

“I am a religious person, it is part of my life,” she said.

“I am so filled with gratitude for everyone who has been there for me and helped shape me,” Asay said. “I feel so blessed.”

“The support from my family has been tremendous. They knew what I wanted to accomplish,” she added.

She is headed for Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City, Utah, trading Puget Sound for snow-capped mountains.

“I made my Dad nervous when I told him I was going to learn to ski,” she said.

His response: “Not before you have medical insurance.”

Asay plans to major in international relations and political science.

“I love keeping up with world affairs,” she said. “My favorite class at the high school was advanced placement U.S. History.”

Besides her family and friends, she said she will miss the beauty of the island.

“I love the water all around us, and coming around the corner and seeing the Olympic Mountains off in the distance.”

More importantly, it will be her family that she will miss the most.

“I will miss talking things over with my parents and watching the crazy antics of my younger brothers,” she said.

Asay is the oldest of four, and has three younger brothers; Kyle, 16, Brandon, 10, and Cameron, 7.

As she prepares to take the next step in her life, Asay’s advice to her brothers is,

“Look at the long perspective and don’t make decisions on short-term whims,” she said.

Asay says she tries to live her life according to a motivation quote: “Stand for something or you will fall for anything.”

Katherine East

Daughter of Robert and Elizabeth, Langley

Katherine East is going back to her roots for college. She carries the citizenship of two countries; the United States and Canada.

East, who moved to Whidbey Island from Alberta, Canada when she was in fifth grade, said she has had the best of both worlds; one foot in each country.

East will be attending the University of British Columbia in Vancouver next fall.

She is looking forward to being around fellow Canadians again.

“There is a different atmosphere in Canada than in the United States,” she said, before quickly admitting she loves both places.

“I am going to miss all the beauty surrounding us; the trees, water and mountains,” she said.

East’s can-do attitude has brought her success in academics and athletics.

She said her focus at college will be on science and math, and she has registered for a coordinated science program at UBC. This year she received the President’s Award, a scholarship for $4,000 that will help pay for college and living expenses.

East has been plenty busy on South Whidbey. She is a member of the National Honor Society, a math tutor and a waitress at El Corral.

She credits her parents with having faith in her.

“They trusted me to get the job done,” East said.

While at South Whidbey High School, East ran track; the 4×100 and the 4×200 relays were her events.

In the state finals, East and her 4×200 relay team members finished third in the state and set a record for South Whidbey High School.

East said she hopes to turn out for UBC’s track team.

“But I might play lacrosse or rugby, too. I like the physical games,” she said.

Something else she is leaving behind is her 1974 Volkswagen bug, named Spartacus.

Her younger brother Jack shouldn’t get excited, however. Her advice to him is to “learn how to drive.”

On a more serious note, East is encouraging him find something he really wants to do.

Her advice to fellow graduates is: No matter what, go to college.

“Even if you can’t pay for it, there are ways make it through,” she said.

Joseph McArdle

Son of Carrie McArdle, Langley and Richard McArdle, Clinton

Joseph McArdle said the secret to his success is that he is interested in everything.

“I enjoy learning, I am passionate about it,” McArdle said.

To earn his place on the podium as one of the three valedictorians, McArdle said he has spent his school career with grades as his central focus.

Now that he is headed to college at the University of Washington, he hopes to expand his horizons.

“I realize the importance of becoming well-rounded with a wide variety of interests.”

However, McArdle does not regret the dedication that earned him a perfect grade point average.

“School was a priority. I focused on my grades. But it was hard work,” he said.

McArdle was born in Seattle and moved to Whidbey Island when he was very young.

He is a product of South Whidbey schools and he applauds the quality of teachers and courses that were available to him at the high school.

McArdle said his parents gave him the best kind of support.

“They just allowed me to be me. The highest expectation they have for me is to be true to myself,” he said.

McArdle is a member of the National Honor Society and a volunteer at Good Cheer. He enjoys reading and writing.

McArdle says he likes a quote from the movie “Garden State.” The quote: “This is life.”

“It’s simple and to the point. That really captures my philosophy. I love the experience of life, everything about it,” McArdle said.

McArdle said he is looking forward to the challenges at the University of Washington, but it will be hard to leave the island.

“It’s comfortable here, a little like unconditional love,” he said.

McArdle is humble about his accomplishments and feels that special recognition on graduation day is not warranted.

“I don’t think it’s right to recognize just the valedictorians. It just so happens our interests fall in the right places that allow us to excel at academics. I am just a regular person who likes learning, but everyone is special in some way.”

“My advice to fellow graduates is to do what you like doing,” he said.