Hundreds of eighth-graders from area schools were dropped off Friday by the busload at the Flathead County Fairgrounds for one reason: To find out why graduation matters.

Roughly 700 students were invited to attend the Graduation Matters Kalispell carnival kickoff.

Inside the Trade Center, they heard from Dan Zorn, Kalispell Public Schools assistant superintendent, and Shay Smithwick-Hann, a junior majoring in business at the University of Montana who is the quarterback for the Griz football team.

Before introducing Smithwick-Hann, Zorn asked students to stay focused and persevere through high school.

As of 2012, 86 percent of Kalispell high school students graduated.

“There are 700 of you here. If we don’t improve on that 86 percent number, about 100 of you won’t graduate high school within four years,” Zorn said.  

Zorn asked students to support each other and work with teachers. He also highlighted statistics about high school graduates, who on average earn about $6,000 more per year than dropouts once they are in the work force.

Smithwick-Hann was invited to speak about his high school experience and success after graduating from Glacier High School in 2010 with honors.

Smithwick-Hann said graduation was the bridge to fulfilling a dream of being a college athlete. His other motivations were his parents — both teachers — and a fear of ovens.

To avoid a career involving ovens and fast food, Smithwick-Hann said he had to graduate. He imparted five tips:

“Surround yourself with good people; never quit; get involved; get help and enjoy it because it’s over fast.”

He likened each year of the high school experience to the stages of a new haircut.

“Freshman year is like that first new haircut. You know what you want it to look like, but you don’t know what you’re going to expect,” Smithwick-Hann said. “Sophomore year is like the awkward stage of a haircut, you don’t know what to do with it ...”

Overall, his message to students was to overcome the challenges and set the goal to graduate.

“Once you achieve a goal, it’s a great feeling,” Smithwick-Hann said.

After his speech, the music was turned back on and the festive mood continued. Flathead and Glacier High School pride abounded as students signed an “I Pledge to Stay in School” banner for the high school they would be attending as freshmen.

A banner will hang in each high school to remind students of their pledge.

Students donned Glacier green and Flathead orange T-shirts handed out by school staff, board members and other business and community volunteers.

Kalispell Middle School eighth-graders Kelsey Gillespie and Lindsey Hinkle signed their names on the Flathead High School banner. Gillespie and Hinkle said they look forward to high school.

“There’s more freedom to take classes besides the mandatory ones,” Hinkle said.

Gillespie added: “And you’re taking more difficult classes and meeting more people.”

They both agreed that graduation is the key to pursuing their dreams, achieving success and gaining respect in the community.

For Kalispell Middle School eighth-grader David Bruyer, who will attend Glacier High School, not graduating isn’t an option.

“I’m going to graduate,” Bruyer said, noting that family support is part of his determination.

Like Gillespie and Hinkle, Bruyer plans to be involved in extracurriculars such as band and take advanced classes pertaining to engineering and mechanics.

Flathead High School seniors Karissa Greenhagen and Jaycee Rocha were at a booth representing Flathead High School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America organization.

Both had advice to give to the underclassmen.

“Don’t give up after freshman or junior year because that’s where you hit the wall and you’re like, ‘Should I finish or should I drop out?’” Greenhagen said.

Greenhagen said joining activities would help students achieve their best in school.

Glacier High School junior Madyson Rigg, representing Glacier High School DECA, a competitive marketing organization, also said activities are something to look forward to outside of school.

“It’s easier to have fun in school if you have other things to look forward to than going to class every day,” Rigg said.

Rocha said hard work will pay off.

“It’s crazy that we’re so young and these years really impact our future. If we don’t work hard now, we’re going to be working 20 times harder to support our lives when we’re older,” Rocha said. “Take these four years and work hard and the next 50 years will be easier.”

The focus of Graduation Matters Kalispell is improving graduation rates by creating a support network involving the district, community organizations and businesses to help, inspire and mentor high school students.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.