Mercer Island High School graduates 328, including 7 valedictorians

By Katie Metzger • June 9, 2017 5:30 pm
Mercer Island High School seniors listen to a speech from teacher Chris Twombley at graduation on June 8. Twombley “hypnotized” the crowd and told them to hold hands. He also told them to suspend their disbelief, be receptive to new ideas and “live curiously.” Katie Metzger/staff photos
Mercer Island High School seniors listen to a speech from teacher Chris Twombley at graduation on June 8. Twombley “hypnotized” the crowd and told them to hold hands. He also told them to suspend their disbelief, be receptive to new ideas and “live curiously.” Katie Metzger/staff photos

In its 60th commencement exercises on June 8 at KeyArena, Mercer Island High School ushered 328 graduating seniors into the “real world.”

MIHS Principal Vicki Puckett said the class of 2017 is “intelligent, spirited and creative,” and filled with positive leaders dedicated to making a difference in the world.

The class had seven valedictorians and seven salutatorians, 25 National Merit Commended Scholars and 16 Washington State Principals’ Scholars. Eighty-eight percent of the graduates plan to attend a four-year college.

Students get their pictures taken before receiving their diplomas on stage at KeyArena. Katie Metzger/staff photo

Students get their pictures taken before receiving their diplomas on stage at KeyArena. Katie Metzger/staff photo

MIHS teacher Laura Totten presents Rachel Ayzenburg with her diploma at the June 8 commencement ceremony at Seattle’s KeyArena. Katie Metzger/staff photo

MIHS teacher Laura Totten presents Rachel Ayzenburg with her diploma at the June 8 commencement ceremony at Seattle’s KeyArena. Katie Metzger/staff photo

The seven valedictorians from Mercer Island High School — Charles Cuono II, Nikita Marcou, Rachel Motz, Hanna Puetz, Adam Tucker, Maxwell Van Gelder and Julia Wischman — give a speech called “Insert Title Here.” Other students who spoke at the ceremony were the senior class officers, Katerina Tiscornia and Luke Kenworthy, the school’s ASB president and one of its seven salutatorians. Katie Metzger/staff photo

The seven valedictorians from Mercer Island High School — Charles Cuono II, Nikita Marcou, Rachel Motz, Hanna Puetz, Adam Tucker, Maxwell Van Gelder and Julia Wischman — give a speech called “Insert Title Here.” Other students who spoke at the ceremony were the senior class officers, Katerina Tiscornia and Luke Kenworthy, the school’s ASB president and one of its seven salutatorians. Katie Metzger/staff photo

MISD Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano and School Board President David D’Souza address the class of 2017. Katie Metzger/staff photo

MISD Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano and School Board President David D’Souza address the class of 2017. Katie Metzger/staff photo

MIHS students walking into KeyArena for graduation are greeted by their teachers. Katie Metzger/staff photo

MIHS students walking into KeyArena for graduation are greeted by their teachers. Katie Metzger/staff photo

Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano poses with school administratiors Fred Rundle and Jennifer Wright, MIHS Principal Vicki Puckett and School Board members David D’Souza, Dave Myerson, Ralph Jorgenson, Adair Dingle and Tracy Drinkwater before graduation. It was Plano’s last Mercer Island commencement, as he plans to retire on June 30. Katie Metzger/staff photo

Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano poses with school administratiors Fred Rundle and Jennifer Wright, MIHS Principal Vicki Puckett and School Board members David D’Souza, Dave Myerson, Ralph Jorgenson, Adair Dingle and Tracy Drinkwater before graduation. It was Plano’s last Mercer Island commencement, as he plans to retire on June 30. Katie Metzger/staff photo

MIHS grads give each other a fist bump after receiving their diplomas. Katie Metzger/staff photo

MIHS grads give each other a fist bump after receiving their diplomas. Katie Metzger/staff photo

MIHS teachers hold hands during Chris Twombley’s speech. Katie Metzger/staff photo

MIHS teachers hold hands during Chris Twombley’s speech. Katie Metzger/staff photo

Mercer Island students congratulate each other for graduating high school after years of hard work. Katie Metzger/staff photo

Mercer Island students congratulate each other for graduating high school after years of hard work. Katie Metzger/staff photo

MIHS students face the stage during graduation, displaying their decorated caps. Katie Metzger/staff photo

MIHS students face the stage during graduation, displaying their decorated caps. Katie Metzger/staff photo

Marine Huang, Unica Le, Ria Raychaudhuri and Sophie Tan perform “Rivers and Roads” at MIHS graduation. Katie Metzger/staff photo

Marine Huang, Unica Le, Ria Raychaudhuri and Sophie Tan perform “Rivers and Roads” at MIHS graduation. Katie Metzger/staff photo

MIHS students participate in the traditional “tassel flip.” Katie Metzger/staff photo

MIHS students participate in the traditional “tassel flip.” Katie Metzger/staff photo

Mercer Island High School graduates toss their caps in the air. Photo courtesy of David Cummings

Mercer Island High School graduates toss their caps in the air. Photo courtesy of David Cummings