PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WSB

Summit Atlas, West Seattle’s only charter school, has just begun summer break. Hours before the last classes of this school year, the middle/high school’s 67 graduating seniors gathered for their commencement ceremony.

(Graduating senior Masarra Aljanabi speaking)

This year’s ceremony was held last night at South Seattle College‘s Brockey Center.

(Graduating senior Genesis Desiree Victorio-Contreras embraces teacher Deborah Haislip)

Proud families and friends filled the event venue to help launch the grads into their post-high-school lives.

(Ofelia Cortes takes a moment before thanking her parents)

This year’s graduating class is twice the size of Summit Atlas’s first one back in 2021.

Summit Atlas ASB President Ella Galaites (below) also took to the podium to congratulate her classmates:

Mentors – including teacher Mandy Vu (below) – gave personal remarks about every student graduating:

Next commencement ceremony for a local high school will be Chief Sealth IHS, Wednesday, June 11, 8 pm at Memorial Stadium downtown, which is also where West Seattle HS‘s ceremony is planned for 5 pm Tuesday, June 17.