Grays Harbor College will have more than 330 students graduating this Friday, the largest graduating class in the school’s history. The ceremony takes place at Stewart Field at 7 p.m. Because the venue was changed to accomodate more students, graduates will not need tickets for their families.
Each year, Grays Harbor College recognizes students with the highest GPAs, here are those top 12 students, and a little about them:
Hannah Raaberg
Hannah Raaberg, of Ocean Shores, is receiving an Associate of Arts degree, and participated in Phi Theta Kappa. After Grays Harbor College, she plans to attend Central Washington University to pursue a bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies, and eventually a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Washington.
Andrea Andrews
Andrea Andrews, from Montesano, is receiving an Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis on education. While at the college, Andrews participated in a work study job in Student Life, served on a tenure committee and a strategic enrollment management committee. After this degree, Andrews plans to get a Bachelor’s of Applied Science degree in Teacher Education from Grays Harbor College.
Cora Pope
Cora Pope graduated from North Beach High School and is receiving an Associate of Arts degree. After graduation, she will be attending Saint Martin’s University.
Emily Bjornsgard
Emily Bjornsgard graduated from Ocosta High School and is receiving an Associate of Arts degree, and plans to get a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from Western Washington University. At Grays Harbor College, Bjornsgard played on the women’s soccer team and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Emily Grace Takagi
Emily Takagi graduated from North Beach High School and will be receiving an Associate of Science degree. While at Grays Harbor College, Takagi was a peer tutor, played softball and was the team’s MVP in 2017. In the fall, she will be at Eastern Washington University to major in chemistry and then look to attend graduate and medical school.
Benjamin Burkhart
Benjamin Burkhart is a Running Start student from Elma who was home-schooled. He is pursuing an Associate of Science degree, and he plans to transfer to the University of Washington to complete a bachelor’s degree in engineering. While at Grays Harbor College, Burkhart helped organize the Mayhem festival.
Juli Hedrick
Juli Hedrick graduated from Nimitz High School in Irving, Texas, and is receiving an Associate of Business degree. The Elma resident participated in Trio and Phi Theta Kappa. She now plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Joshua Latimer
Joshua Latimer is a Running Start student who was home-schooled and attended Aberdeen High School. He is pursuing an associate’s degree in aeronautical engineering. Some of his activities include stage crew and set building for the college’s theater productions and the engineering club. He plans to later attend a different university for a bachelor’s degree.
Tigre Falla
A Running Start student from Hoquiam High School, Tigre Falla is majoring in physics and is pursuing his associate’s degree. He worked at the Learning Center, and was an actor and played in the orchestra pit for the college’s theater productions. He hopes to attend the University of Washington to major in physics and math.
Kristen Edwards
Kristen Edwards is a home-schooled Running Start student from Aberdeen. She is majoring in music and English, and participated in the Grays Harbor Symphony, civic choir, performed on steel drums and wrote student plays.
Richard Mudd
Richard Mudd received his GED in 1998 and majored in Business Management at Grays Harbor College. He hopes to attend college, but hasn’t decided where he wants to go.
(Seth Brink did not submit a questionnaire.)
