There are only 3 days of school left for our graduating class. Congratulations to the Banks High School graduating class of 2025! It is time to recognize this class of talented students. Please help us congratulate our next BHS graduate, Julia Rizzo. Her favorite memory from high school was photographing the 2023 State Championship for Girls Basketball. That year the Girls Basketball team won the state championship for the first time. That was the first week she picked up my camera and haven’t put it down since! She was also grateful for being the team manager and the friendships made. Her advice to future Braves is to enjoy this time you get with friends and make as many memories as you can. This time you have won’t last forever. Outside of school she loves traveling, golfing, taking photos, and hanging out with friends. If she could go anywhere in the world, she would go to Tahiti to stay in an overwater bungalow, go snorkeling, and look at all of the beautiful views. After Banks High School she plans to take a gap year through the EF Gap Year program and travel to seven different countries including Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Peru, Ecuador, Australia, Thailand, and Japan. She will be learning, volunteering, and exploring throughout her gap year. She then plans to attend a University. She would like to thank her Dad and Sister for supporting her the past four years, she is very grateful for them. She would like to thank her friends for always making her laugh no matter how she is feeling. She would like to thank her teachers, especially Mrs. Vandecoevering, She would not be the person that she is today without her. Lastly, she would like to thank her Mom for giving her the strength and being the motivation to keep going. Julia is proud of organizing and running two blood drives, being a part of a student success internship for the past three years and being on the varsity girls golf team for all four years. Good job Julia and Go Braves! (fb)

There are only 3 days of school left for our graduating Seniors. Congratulations to the Banks High School graduating class of 2025! It is time to recognize this class of talented students. Please help us congratulate our next BHS Senior, Evan Redmond. His favorite memory from high school was country line dancing with all of his friends at the school dances. His advice to future Braves is to get involved and have some fun that inspires you. Go to school dances, join a sport or extracurricular club to get the most out of your time in high school and make lasting memories with your friends. Outside of school he loves horseback riding, hiking, traveling, fostering animals and line dancing. If he could go anywhere in the world, he would go back to Switzerland. He went there on an EF tour this year and it was his favorite destination out of the whole trip. After High School he plans to attend Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls to earn his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Environmental Science. He will then pursue a Doctorate in Wildlife Biology out of state to have a career as a traveling field researcher. He would like to thank his wonderful parents and grandparents for all of their support and for believing in him every step of the way. He would also like to thank his teachers for helping him to succeed, especially Mrs. Hatcher and Mrs. Pallett. Also, a big thank you to his great friends for always being there for him. He is proud of participating in the drama club and serving as president for the last two years. He has been able to keep on top of his grades and earn an honors diploma and represent the Braves as a valedictorian. Good job Evan and Go Braves! (fb)