Photos by Richard Figgins
Story by Jason Grotelueschen

The graduating 8th-grade class of Hope Lutheran School was honored and celebrated on Friday night during the school’s annual graduation ceremony, in front of an adoring crowd of friends and family.

There were 17 graduates in the class, and according to admissions director Sally Heit, they will be attending eight area high schools in the fall: West Seattle, Chief Sealth, Kennedy Catholic, Seattle Prep, Bishop Blanchet, Lakeside, Seattle Christian, and Vashon Island.  

The class valedictorian was Emily Esses and co-salutatorians were Michael Raleigh and Addie Grotelueschen, and the winner of the coveted “Eagle Award” (voted on by classmates, for citizenship and character) was Bryson Fukumoto. 

Hope principal Kristen Okabayashi said, “This year’s graduating class is a bright and talented group of young people! They care about the community around them and will do well at the high school of their choice. We are so proud of them!” 

This 8th-grade class was part of the first middle-school group to attend classes this past year at Hope’s newly renovated “north campus” at the former Seattle Lutheran High School building at 4100 SW Genesee St. Friday’s graduation ceremony was held in its usual location in the Hope Lutheran Church sanctuary, attached to the school’s main campus at 42nd Ave SW & Oregon St. 

Heit added that Hope Lutheran has openings for the next school year, and tours are available during the summer (contact the school here).

Here is another class photo courtesy of Hope Lutheran, featuring the class verse: