Barbara Lawlor, Nederland. Six Chinook West students received high school diplomas last Friday, successfully completing the goals they outlined at the beginning of the school year. Their graduation ceremony took place in the TEENS, Inc. gym all gussied up for the occasion.

Seated at the front of the audience on couches and easy chairs, Austin Lankford, Skylar Pichon, Madeline Murphy, Eric Hartman, Joey Pickus and Daniel Lyday relaxed, knowing they had achieved something that hadn’t seemed possible at some point in their lives.

Chinook West is a contract school with Boulder Valley School District,  an alternative for students who are at risk in the mainstream school system. It is a philosophy of education that allows the students to earn the requirements for graduation according to their individual ways of learning.

TEENS, Inc. executive director Stephen Lefaiver welcomed the guests and explained that the graduates’ school year began with an interview about their chosen focus for the year and then continued with a three day trip to discuss their plans in detail. Throughout the year they revisited and adjusted their goals until they finally reached the pinnacle moment of receiving their diploma.

It was the first year that Chinook offered its own diplomas. Earlier, the graduates received Nederland High School diplomas. Lefaiver offered that anyone who graduated from Chinook could now receive the school diploma.

Special guest speaker, BVSD Superintendent Bruce Messinger, in the midst of a graduation marathon, took the time to address students saying they have reached the culmination of their high school years and he wished them well. “The success of a school district is finding different pathways for students, because “you are all different. Stay healthy and carry on the good work you have started.”

Kerry Borcherding was the keynote speaker. A former Chinook therapist, she now uses the power of horses for private therapy work. She told the seniors that she learned many lessons the hard way, usually touching the stove to make sure it was really hot. Learn from your mistakes, she said.

But also take risks: “The end of your comfort zone is where life begins. The less you venture out, the greater your risk of failure. Strive to be uncomfortable, never settle. Sometimes you don’t know why you are doing something but it leads to the next thing. Trust your gut over your head.”

Chinook teachers described each student: Daniel tries to navigate the world in a way that is kind and honest and true; he cares deeply about others. Joey is very bright and understands edible plants. He has many solutions for the environment. Austin is a farmer, sky diver, and nationally recognized climber. Eric accepts responsibility and more, helps everyone in the community; his skills and motivation will get him wherever he wants to go.

Madeline is the voice of social justice and has achieved what she needed to graduate. Skylar Pichon has been with Chinook for the past six years and is also a cadet with the Timberline Fire Department.

Each student received a plant along with their diploma and after the ceremony enjoyed a pot luck lunch.