It’s a day that almost all high school students covet and dream of. On Thursday afternoon, the unmistakable feeling of accomplishment was evident on the faces of South Whidbey Academy graduates.

At a commencement ceremony in the school’s gym/cafeteria, eight students received their diplomas. Some, such as Nicole Loff, will move off the island to pursue their academic careers. Others, like Destiny Sutton, will stay close to home until moving forward to the next phase of their lives.

The gravity of the moment didn’t fall short for Loff.

“I’m so happy about it, I’m thrilled,” Loff said. “I’m glad I can move forward. I had a great experience here at school. Teachers are supporting, students are supporting and they’re awesome.”

This year’s graduates include Loff, Sutton, Taylor Capiola, Krista Drechsel, Ebey England, Donia Kashkooli, Stephen Lutsock and Karri Poggie-Blethen.

South Whidbey Academy is the South Whidbey School District’s alternative K-12 program. The event marked what could potentially be the last graduating class to receive their diplomas in the school gymnasium. The academy’s high school program will relocate to an unoccupied north wing of South Whidbey High School in September. Next year’s graduating class will have the choice whether or not to graduate in the elementary school gymnasium or merge with the rest of the high school in a larger ceremony. If they choose to integrate, the tradition of allowing students to select their own outfits will still be honored, Principal David Pfeiffer said.

Sticking to its roots of past ceremonies, students showed their appreciation for the alternative school, their parents, teachers and fellow classmates during a 10-minute question-and-answer video produced by junior Josh Cravy. Graduates were asked what their takeaways were from school, valuable learning experiences, future plans and parting advice for other students.

The two student speakers offered comments of both traditional reflection and the importance of giving dignity to people on the margins and embracing whatever life a person chooses.

The first speaker, Kashkooli, read from one of her favorite poems, “Shake the Dust.”

“This is for the hard men who want to love, but know that it won’t come,” Kashkooli read. “For the ones who are forgotten. The ones the amendments do not stand up for. For the ones who are told speak only when you are spoken to and then are never spoken to. Speak every time you stand so you do not forget yourself.”

The second speaker was Drechsel. She spoke on the positive impacts the academy had on her.

“SWA [said like ‘swah’] enabled the diverse, unique students to overcome obstacles when a traditional school would not allow them the flexibility to reach their full potential. With the help of a dedicated, friendly staff of educators, each student at SWA has an individual plan for graduation.”

“The old saying is, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.’ That’s the opportunity SWA gives to individual students to achieve with a positive outlook,” she added.

Drechsel also said she hopes the move to the high school will not impact the academy’s “alternative environment.”

“That short walk between South Whidbey High School and SWA is a small but important barrier for some students who really need to use the best of both schools,” Drechsel said. “SWA has prepared me to believe in myself and strive for the very best and accomplish the task at hand. I am no longer afraid to fail and I am excited to pursue my passion of agriculture.”

Robin Barre, a counselor at the academy, and Linda Racicot, chairwoman of the school board, provided messages to the graduates. Barre, who will leave the academy following the school year, spoke on the individuality that comes from being at the academy and leaving the familiarity and comfort of home and the transition to the wide-open world.

“Everything swirls, changes, orbits through its evolutions and revolutions,” Barre said. “We graduate, we move away, we change jobs, we grow up, we grow old. Change is the only certain thing we know about our lives.”

Racicot filled in for Superintendent Jo Moccia, who is away on a Langley Middle School adventure education trip, as the other district speaker.

“Don’t wait. Make a plan, use the problem solving skills that you’ve acquired from your school and life experiences to step up, be proactive and direct your next moves,” Racicot said.

Following the presentation of diplomas and official nod into the adult world, Kashkooli was among those battling with emotions.

“I’m very relieved and very scared at the same time,” Kashkooli said. “It’s just a whole cluster of emotions coming together at once. I’m really excited to see what the future holds for me.”

Kashkooli hopes to attend Spokane Falls Community College in the fall and eventually study law.

Sutton plans to take a short break from school then earn her associates degree at a community college. From there, she’ll transfer to a four-year school where she hopes to study psychology.

“I really loved it here,” Sutton said. “It was everything you needed and the teachers were really helpful and I was able to get what I needed done in a good amount of time.”

Loff will attend Flat Head Community College in Montana for two years before transferring to a four-year state university. She hopes to study health care.

“Montana is a great place to be,” Hoff said.

Hoff added that the academy was diverse and that the students’ independence fostered a different style of learning than what could be had at South Whidbey High School.

“You have to focus on yourself and push yourself and teachers are all so supportive of that,” Hoff said. “I thought it was a great graduation ceremony.”