County to graduate 343 students

A new tide of Whitman County seniors steps off into the real world over the next two weeks.

A total of 343 seniors will graduate from Whitman County, 13 more than last year.

Pullman High School accounted for half of this year’s class, producing a graduating class of 164 students.

The graduate count in 2009 was 330, and 2008 saw 337 graduates.

Aside from Pullman’s plentiful tide of graduates, Colfax has the next highest graduation count. Fifty-six students will graduate from Colfax this year during the June 5 ceremony, which will be held in the school gymnasium; up from 46 graduates last year.

Rosalia will graduate 14 this year during its ceremony June 12, at 2 p.m., in the school’s new gym. The Spartans graduate one less than last year.

Rosalia superintendent Tom Crowley said most of Rosalia’s graduates have their sights set on college.

“They’ve explored their interests as far as the world of work- explored their colleges of choice,” Crowley said.

He added watching the children grow from pre-school all the way until their graduating day of high school was a special experience.

Oakesdale will see nine students walk down the aisle to adulthood this Saturday at 1 p.m. in the high school gym. Oakesdale graduates four more than last year’s class of five.

Nineteen students will graduate from the Colton at 11 a.m. Saturday in the high school gym, up from 16 graduates last year.

Twelve students from LaCrosse will toss their caps high in the sky next Saturday, June 12, at 2 p.m. The 2010 class is down five from last year’s class of 15.

Garfield/Palouse will have 31 graduates this year during its ceremony Saturday at 1 p.m. at the high school gym, down from 34 last year.

St. John/Endicott High School has 28 graduates this year, up from 20 last year. The Eagle ceremony takes place Sunday at 2 p.m.

Tekoa has 10 graduates this year, down from last year’s class of 18. Ceremony begins at 1 p.m. Sunday.