Plumas Charter School’s Quincy Learning Center celebrated the promotion of its sixth-grade class with a festive commencement ceremony on the evening of June 4. Held at the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds, the event was filled with pride, joy and reflection as students, families and staff gathered to honor the young graduates.
The evening began with a warm welcome from sixth-grade teacher Cindy Thackeray, who thanked parents, staff and students for their support and enthusiasm throughout the year. The sixth-graders then joined her on stage by entering with their chosen walk-up songs.
Student speakers Hajulellah McKenzie, Ryker Vukich, August Lausen, Milena Davis and Olivia Pence then took the stage to share quotes and personal reflections. Davis, quoting Anne of Green Gables, shared a favorite line she read with her teacher: “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” She reminded her classmates, “It’s not what the world holds for you, it’s what you bring to the world.”
Thackeray praised the class’s energy and excitement, noting that when planning the ceremony, the students had a request: to dance. Embracing the evening’s Luau theme, the class performed a joyful routine to “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” from Lilo & Stitch, drawing smiles and cheers from the crowd.
In her closing remarks, Thackeray reflected on each student’s growth and potential, offering heartfelt encouragement for the journey ahead. “You will show the world what wonderful people you are, and I’m so excited for you,” she said. “This group is well on their way to being prepared for any career they choose.”
Quincy Site Director Phil Rader joined Thackeray onstage to present certificates of completion to: Weston Cogle, Milena Davis, Lilyann Hahn, August Lausen, Claire Lavley, Charlotte Lohn, Arturo Martinez, Hallelujah McKenzie, Avery Noury, Olivia Pence, Mika Smart, Ryker Vukich, Daphne Williams and Nathaniel Wilson.
Applause and cheers filled the air as each student crossed the stage, marking the official close of their elementary school years and the start of their middle school adventure.
Following the ceremony, families and graduates gathered on the lawn to enjoy refreshments and continue the celebration. Thackeray offered special thanks to sixth-grade parents Sarah Lawson and Breanne Pence for their thoughtful planning and festive decorations.
Watch the highlight reel on YouTube Here!
By Rachel Goings, Public Relations Specialist
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Quotes from 6th Graders:
Weston Cogle: Someday I would like to start a business that sells 3-D printed items. I want to be a pharmacist and live somewhere in the Bay. I would like to go to Columbia and practice my Spanish.
Milena Davis: Someday I'm going to publish a book and be one of "The New York Times Best Selling Author." I don't know what I'd like to be yet, but I hope I get a job I want and follow a career path that I'm interested in. I hope that I can keep my imagination when I grow up and keep my friends that I have now.
Lilyanne Hahn: One day I would like to be a school counselor, florist, or a forensic psychologist. I would like to go to college at the University of Portland or Ashland, Oregon, Saint Augustine, Florida, or Sandford.
August Lausen: My goal is to hopefully travel to visit different places. That is what playing sports are for. Hopefully, I am going to be a basketball player and start my own sports card collection.
Claire Lavley: Someday I hope I'm in college (preferably UCLA or Stanford) and getting a business real estate degree, something like that. But I hope that I'm still friends with Charlotte, Mila, and my friend Mack. If college does not work out, I hope I have a family with horses.
Charlotte Lohn: I am going to graduate from Stanford and play college soccer. I would also like to be a writer. Someday, I hope one of my novels will win a Pulitzer Prize, I will visit Japan and vacation in Hawaii.
Arturo Martinez: When I am 18, I would like to go into the Police Academy because I like helping people and keeping them safe and a little bit of fun, too.
Hajulellah McKenzie: I want to be a mom and a volleyball player. I want to become a mom because my mom is the best mom ever. She is the best inspiration for me to become a mom and I want to become a famous volleyball player so I can afford some stuff for my parents that they could not afford when they were young.
Avery Noury: My whole life, I have always loved photography, I have always gotten many compliments on how good I was at taking pictures. I hope one day to do something with photography. I want to start by taking class on it in middle school then having a job with photography.
Olivia Pence: Someday, I want to be a professional dancer! I really want to go on a tour of Alcatraz and actually walk the Golden Gate Bridge this time!
Mika Smart: I'll learn to ride an own a motorcycle. I hope I'll graduate from UC Davis and become a librarian.
Ryker Vukich: I would like to play baseball for Vanderbilt University and help them get past the first round in the College World Series.
Daphne Williams: I would like to get a part time job to help me earn enough money to go to veterinary school. Then I'll become a veterinarian and work with all types of animals.
Nathanial Wilson: Someday, I would like to make it to the MLB and play for the Giants, or if that does not work or if that does not work out, I will own my own burger joint.