Advice From Once and Future Grads
Advice From Once and Future Grads
Posted on 06/27/2023
Our 2023 graduates are heading out into the world, going to college, getting jobs, and eventually changing the world. Before they left, we wanted to ask them for their sage advice, so we asked graduates at each of our high schools to give advice to kindergarteners for their educational journey. 

We also went to the respective elementary schools those seniors went to and asked kindergarteners to give advice to graduates. 

Here’s what they said: 
A girl and a little girl smile at each other while talking

Kamberlea Parker, graduate from Olympic

“Elementary school is the best time of your life. There is literally no reason to be afraid.”

Kamberlea remembers being so nervous on her first day of kindergarten. But she loved her elementary school experience from field trips to bubbles and friends she still has to this day. She still wears her fifth grade shirt with pride.

Kamberlea will attend Central Washington University, where she plans to major in psychology or child development. 


Elise, kindergartener at Brownsville

“Pick up trash because I like it clean and it’s nice. Clean places like the ocean.”

Elise wants to be a bus driver when she grows up.
Elise is passionate about clearing up the environment around her, especially the oceans. She loves riding her school bus and she wants to be a bus driver when she grows up.

A young boy and a high school aged girl smile at each other


Jada Allen, graduate from Central Kitsap

“Live in the moment and don’t grow up too fast. Be kids as long as possible.”

Her favorite elementary school memories were getting lemon drop candies from Miss Summers and playing soccer in the mud. 

Jada is studying architecture at Washington State University in the fall. 


Griffey, kindergartener at Silverdale

“Be nice to others, be nice to your kid, and be a good person to have a nice world.” 

Griffey doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up yet, but he wants to make sure people are nice so we can have a nice world. 
A young girl and an older girl smile at each other while sitting on stairs in front of a school

Clara Gintz, graduate from Klahowya

“It’s good to make friends at the beginning, because those friends will stay with you throughout your elementary school years.” 

Clara is studying biology at Biola University in the Fall. 

Her favorite elementary memories were going to Camp Coleman and field trips with her classmates, most notably releasing salmon fry into Clear Creek. 


Brenna, kindergartener at Cougar Valley

“Make other people think that they are smart.” 

Brenna loves animals and wants to be a zookeeper when she grows up. 

 


A man smiles at a young boy who is exciting while standing next to a bench in front of a school

Gavin Oroz, graduate from Barker Creek 

“Your teachers are going to be your best friends. When I was in Kindergarten, I absolutely loved my teacher.”

Gavin is attending Olympic College next year with plans to transfer to a four-year college. 

His favorite elementary school memories include trading Pokémon cards on the playground and playing basketball.

Duke, kindergartener at Woodlands

"Look at DNA and discover what the dinosaurs' emotions were." 

Duke wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up, where he'll study fossils and hopefully create a genetically-modified hybrid dinosaur, like you would find in the Jurassic Park movie franchise.