Lyle High School Graduation Highlights

It was an historic school year, a year of uncertainty and hybrid schedules, preceded by a year cut short by COVID-induced mandatory school closures. Yet, the Lyle High School Class of 2021 survived, succeeded and even thrived.

The following awards and scholarships were announced at the graduation ceremony on June 5. To watch the ceremony, the celebratory video, view senior pictures and more, click here.

Class Valedictorian Astara Jensen plans to major in Psychology at St. Martin’s College in Olympia this fall. Astara was awarded three scholarships: The Beverly Ann Bryan Memorial Scholarship for $1,000; a Lions Scholarship for $750; and a Robert Halverson/Alumni Scholarship in the amount of $500. Staff also selected Astara for Science, P.E. and English Language Arts (ELA) Staff Excellence Awards, the Principal’s Overall Excellence Award. Astara received honor cords signifying a 3.0 or higher GPA in all classes in each of the following subject areas: English Language Arts, Social Studies, Spanish and Music/Arts.

Jack Bellamy and Madison Olson shared Salutatorian Honors, earning the same cumulative GPA.

Salutatorian Jack Bellamy plans to attend Washington State University in Pullman this fall, majoring in Astrophysics. Jack received the Staff Excellence Award in Math and this year posted the highest Math SAT score ever reported for Lyle High School. Jack also received Staff Excellence Awards in Science, Social Studies, and English Language Arts, in addition to the Principal’s Overall Excellence Award. He earned honor cords in English, Science, Math, and Social Studies.

Salutatorian Madison Olson completed an Associate of Science degree while participating in the on-site Running Start program at Lyle High School. Madison’s goal is to enroll in a nursing program. She received the Staff Leadership Award, the Staff Excellence Award in Science, and the Principal’s Overall Excellence Award. Madison received the Beverly Ann Bryan Memorial Scholarship for $1,000, the Pam Oldenburg Scholarship in the amount of $1,000, the Lions Scholarship for $750 and the Robert Halverson/Alumni Scholarship in the amount of $500. She was an honor cord recipient in English Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Spanish.

Brandi Vance will be attending the University of Idaho and majoring in Animal Science this fall. Brandi has already completed a two-year degree, earning an Associate of Science degree through her participation in the on-site Running Start Program. Brandi has been awarded the Evergreen Chapter #1 Order of the Eastern Star Scholarship in the amount of $400 and the Dooley Leah Rebekah Lodge Foundation Scholarship for $2,500. She received an honor cord in Spanish.

AnaLuisa Ortiz will be attending Idaho State University this fall. She received the Staff Citizenship and Leadership Awards, and the Principal’s Overall Excellence Award. Annie also received Honor Cords in English Language Arts and Spanish.

More: Malachi Bren received a Staff Excellence Award in Physical Education; Ky'ana Childers received a Staff Citizenship Award; Alexis Navarrete received a Staff Excellence Award in Social Studies and an honor cord in Fine Art. Harriman Palmer likewise earned an honor cord in Fine Art. Abraham Rosales, an honor cord recipient in Spanish, has recently been promoted to manager of The Dalles McDonalds. Jessi Nolan is pursuing plans to start a law enforcement career in Anchorage, Alaska.