This month, the Whitefish School District Class of 2009 celebrated the milestone of high school graduation. The class represents the 95th graduating class from Whitefish High School.

We congratulate these students for the many academic, athletic and artistic honors they have earned, as well as the many hours they have devoted to community service during their high school years.

At the May academic awards ceremonies, counselor Barb Mansfield and principal Kent Paulson announced that the Class of 2009 has earned more than $3.1 million in scholarships and includes five National Merit finalists, one National Merit Scholar, five military academy appointments, and many other scholarship recipients.

Since the fall of 2005, members of the Class of 2009 have won 16 divisional and state championships in various sports and performed a variety of classic and contemporary plays and musicals.

On Saturday, June 6, one hundred percent of the senior class (137) walked across the stage to receive their high school diplomas. Also included were the six foreign exchange students for a total of 143 students celebrating their final day at Whitefish High School.

Wherever their hopes and dreams may lead them, we know the Class of 2009 will continue to make a positive impact on our community and world.

Congratulation graduates, we wish you well.

Jerry House is the Whitefish School District superintendent.