NEDERLAND — Every year, the graduates of Chinook West High School gather and sit on a couch that’s placed before a crowd of parents and peers. The couch was moved into the gymnasium this year, in participation of a large crowd. In fact, two couches were required as the Class of 2026 was bigger than in years’ past, with ten students being honored. 

Isaac Buckland; Braxton Clark; Holly Evanson; Ezra Leary; Soren Magaraci; Liona Mites; Avery Monroe-Kelly; Abbey Moore; Vivian Stott; and Heaven White. 

Chinook West’s graduation is a ceremony unlike any other, where all the weight of the arduous high school journey is present with the students —and with the teachers— and is shed before all, through the sharing of stories and jokes from the past, the acknowledgment of their achievements in the present, and the assurance of each graduate’s ability to succeed in the future. 

Executive Director of TEENS, Inc. Stephen LeFaiver took the podium and spoke of the graduates’ experiences working through challenges together on field trips and programs. LeFaiver highlighted their ability to collaborate together, to move through minor differences and support one another when solving problems, and to exhibit healthy risk taking in positive ways. 

Former Program Manager and teacher at Chinook West George Walters flew in on a red-eye flight from New York City in order to deliver a speech as the 2026 commencement speaker; his experiences with many of the graduates and the drive to usher them forward with strong words was enough for Walters to fight through his jet lag. 

Commencement speaker George Walters shared his thoughts about a school team and mascot, suggesting the Chinook West Rebels.

Photo by Christopher Kelley

“Some of the most powerful lessons that I’ve learned here I actually learned from you,” he said to the graduates, listing their fearlessness, their self-advocacy, their perseverance, confidence, and dark humor as inspiration. “I’ve learned so much from staff and students alike about what it means to show up consistently, joyfully, and resiliently.” 

Walters told a story about when the students were tasked with creating a team name and mascot, and they suggested the name the Chinook West George’s.

 “As honored as I was to be recognized as the face of the franchise I knew that the choice reflected something unrelated to my connection to the school; this was an example of the students rebelling against the assignment altogether,” Walters said. “So, I come to you today with my own suggestion for a potential school mascot: the Chinook West Rebels.”

“This school attracts rebels. Chinook West embraces those rebellious attitudes and empowers them to take ownership of their community. By educating yourself, by finding your passion and following that curiosity no matter where it leads you, you are committing the radical act of becoming who you want to be.” 

As is Chinook West tradition, each graduate chooses a teacher to present them during the graduation ceremony. Math Teacher Kim Sibray was first and tried not to cry while presenting Abbey Moore.

Sibray highlighted the incredible impact Moore has had in her short amount of time at Chinook West and described her as “off-the-charts talented,” noting her accomplishments in basketball and in music, and her overall heart and spirit, which Sibray specified would ensure Moore’s success. 

“This year has changed my life in so many ways, and all for the better,” Moore said, recalling her orientation interview at Chinook West, when she listed her only goal as wanting to graduate. She thanked everyone who helped to push her to that finish line. 

ELA Teacher Phonsi Ochola presented Avery Monroe-Kelly, opening by saying that people look up to Monroe-Kelly, both figuratively and literally, as the graduate is quite tall. Ochola spoke of Monroe-Kelly as being a kind person with an open mind. 

Monroe-Kelly thanked his teachers for piquing his interest in new subjects and thanked the community for helping to go farther than he ever thought he could go.  

TEENS, Inc. Community Mobilizer Max Marschhausen presented Braxton Clark, introducing him as the most authentic and creative people he’s ever met. 

Max Marschhausen (left) presents graduate Braxton Clark with his diploma.

Photo by Christopher Kelley

“Your level of self-awareness surpasses that of others that I’ve known, and your ability to be real with yourself and the people around you is inspiring,” Marschhausen said, adding that Clark has “climbed mountains” throughout his high school career and has come out stronger and wiser. 

Clark gave thanks to everybody —from the staff to those in the audience— for being there with him for this big moment. 

Nutrition Manager Alli Pratt presented Ezra Leary, detailing a bond that had grown from his love and interest for food, stating that in his orientation interview Leary talked about food “a lot.” 

“And when I say a lot I mean a lot,” Pratt joked. Pratt also described Leary as having a huge impact on the community, as being nonchalant, helpful, and down-to-Earth, and as being tough —spelled T-U-F-F.  

Leary thanked Alli for expanding his food palette and for making the best school lunches, and gave shout outs to the staff and to the Youth Corps group.  

Sibray returned to the podium to present Heaven White. 

“Like the colors of a rainbow Heaven is a vibrant, incredibly bright young woman,” Sibray said, highlighting White’s heart, passion, and strength as being prominent in everything she does, and reiterating how anyone who gets to hear White’s singing or poetry is extremely lucky.

Heaven White shared a heartfelt poem that she had written the day before about the emotions and thoughts surrounding the momentous occasion.

Photo by Christopher Kelley

“Although most people hate school I’ve always learned to love it; I love writing things to share with all of my friends,” White said, sharing her most treasured memories of hiding candy around the school and of random dance parties by the shed. 

White also shared one of her original heartfelt poems, urging the importance of living presently in the moment and leaving a positive impact.  

Science Teacher Cameron Kollar presented Holly Evanson, and spoke of her “grounding presence and heart of gold,” and as being an influence in the way she overcame fear and prioritized her own self-expression.  

“I hope you stay connected with all the younger versions of yourself,” Kollar said through tears. 

Evanson thanked all the supportive people in her life who helped her through her high school journey and kept her moving forward. 

Graduate Holly Evanson gave heartfelt thanks to her family and friends for their love and support.

Photo by Christopher Kelley

Marschhausen returned to the podium to present Isaac Buckland, who he defined as “wildly creative” and as “the songbird of his generation.”

“Chinook West will miss your presence,” Marschhausen said. “You’ve left your mark on this place and I know that wherever you go you’ll continue to leave a meaningful impact and uplift those who are around you.”

Buckland described how he had turned around from being a student who stuck gum under the desk to caring about school, thanks to Chinook West. 

“My old school was like a rotten onion; peel off one stinkin’ layer and there’s another even smellier one beneath it,” Buckland said. “All jokes aside, thank you all. I truly appreciate your time and support; you gave me moments I’ll remember for the rest of my life.” 

Graduate Isaac Buckland, pictured here describing exactly what kind of onion his old school was like.

Photo by Christopher Kelley

Sibray presented Liona Mites and spoke of her determination, passion, and kindness, as well as her ability to push through difficult things while always remembering who she is.

“Liona helped me find that connection to what students want to do,” Sibray said that Mites’ creativity and willingness to make things fun and inspiring made her a better teacher. “You’ve earned this and we’re so proud of you, thank you so much for being here so we can celebrate you on this special day.”  

Liona Mites is presented her graduation certificate by Chinook West teacher Kim Sibray.

Photo by Christopher Kelley

Director of Student Engagement Andrea Bianchi presented Soren Magaraci, whom she described as “a true gem of a human” with a “pension for cheeky shenanigans.” Bianchi detailed his courage, commitment, and his ability to remain endlessly cool, calm, and casual. 

Graduate Soren Magaraci was described as someone who tackles a challenge and crushes it.

Photo by Christopher Kelley

She added that Magaraci can commit to any activity and “absolutely crush it,” doing so with “a quiet ease, never minimizing the efforts or joy of others, but with a natural steady leadership that allows everyone to engage.”  

Magaraci thanked all those who came and congratulated his fellow graduates.  

Bianchi was also sure to recognize graduate Vivian Stott, who unfortunately could not attend the ceremony. Stott not only received her diploma, her copy of "Oh, the Places You’ll Go!" by Dr. Seuss —courtesy of the TEENS, Inc. Board of Directors— and her potted plant, as is tradition for all Chinook West graduates, but she also received a GRAD+ Award. 

Dr. Bianca Gallegos, Executive Director of Student Partnerships for Boulder Valley School District, presented this years’ GRAD+ Awards.

“What makes today meaningful is not just the diploma itself, it’s the resilience behind it, it’s the decision to keep showing up, to keep trying,” Gallegos addressed the graduates.

The recipients of this years’ GRAD+ Awards are: Heaven White; Braxton Clark; Avery Monroe-Kelly, who earned College Credit and Industry Certification; Ezra Leary, who earned College Credit, Work-based Learning, and Industry Certification; and Stott, who earned College Credit, Work-based Learning, and Industry Certification. 

Before the graduates and their peers and loved ones moved on to the reception to enjoy food and refreshments, music played live by graduate Abbey Moore, and a slideshow of memories, LeFaiver led a moment of quiet intention for those in the audience to silently express their support and well-wishes, and for the graduates to experience it and soak it all in. 

After the ceremony Abbey Moore (right), in between meeting with friends and family, played music for the crowd during the reception.

Photo by Christopher Kelley

Congratulations to the Chinook West Class of 2026 and may their strengths and assets —all of which have been seen by their peers and mentors, and honed in their journeys to graduation— present them with boundless growth and opportunity.