Pure joy was on the menu for this student at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Thirty-four seniors earned diplomas this year from Early College High School, a joint venture between Salem-Keizer Public Schools and Chemeketa Community College. They walked on Friday, June 9 in a ceremony at Sprague High School.
The school has the goal of serving an underserved, but motivated population of students by providing them with an accelerated high school academic program while creating a pathway to college.
This small but mighty group of graduates were ready to jump right into their junior year at any college once they left with their diploma in hand.
One of the handmade decorated mortarboards at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A moment of levity in the lineup before entering the graduation ceremony at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A graduate listens to cohorts give speeches at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
The attentive crowd of relatives and friends at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The attentive crowd of relatives and friends at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Azriel Chavez delivers one of the senior speeches at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A graduate receives his diploma from Principal Brad Shreve at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Azriel Chavez receives a congratulatory handshake from Salem-Keizer School Board member Marty Heyen at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A student does a quick mortarboard adjustment before climbing the podium while waiting to graduate at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A student supports their colleagues while waiting to graduate at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Decorated mortarboards at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) It was all relieved smiles after the graduation ceremony at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Amanada Dahbura looks down at her valedictorian medal at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
One of the handmade decorated mortarboards at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Sinahi Romero Garnica looks down at the money bouquet her family gave her after the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Jennifer Naowi Sim peeps out underneath her many leis and gifts after the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. Jennifer is Cambodian and Marshallese and wanted to honor both of her heritages. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)One of the handmade decorated mortarboards at the Early College High School Commencement at Sprague High School on June 9, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
