11 Deserving Students Earn Summer Graduation Diplomas

David Swenson experienced 1,080 degrees on Dec. 23 last year and lived to tell about it.

Swenson suffered near fatal injuries when he sailed off a small bluff on his snowboard at Mount Spokane. He executed a 1,080 - three, 360-degree turns - before slamming into his friend who was on the ground below him.

Doctors told the Shadle Park High School senior he had a long road to recovery and that it would be some time before he could go back to school.

But Swenson fooled them.

He sailed through recovery with flying colors, and last week, he and 10 other seniors received their diplomas during summer graduation ceremonies.

“Being alive is wonderful,” said state school Superintendent Terry Bergeson to Swenson. “But being alive with a diploma is even better.”

“They (the teachers) didn’t think I could handle the workload of English and economics during rehab,” said Swenson, whose face still carries a scar from the near fatal blow.

“So it took a little longer, but it feels great,” he said.

Don Swenson, David’s father, said he never doubted his son would get back to full health.

“He was always one to keep on going,” Don Swenson said.

Swenson’s mother, Donna Swenson, and a host of other family members and friends, were the largest and most vociferous entourage to accompany the new high school grads.

“I feel so proud of him,” she said. “They said his recovery would not happen as fast as it would.”

While Swenson was just a few months behind his graduation date, junior Tiffany Bruns of Rogers High finished a year ahead of time through the Running Start program at Spokane Community College.

“I just want to get my life going at a younger age,” said Bruns, who turns 17 today.

She said she hopes to attend the University of Southern California in the fall.

District 81 has been holding summer school graduation for a number of years, said Gary Livingston, the district’s superintendent.

“They deserve the opportunity to be recognized as well,” Livingston said. “Whether it’s one (student graduating) or 10 or 30.”

Rogers High grad Robert Reeder admitted that he didn’t have enough self-discipline in school and that was the reason he was a little bit behind schedule. But he said he is glad he now has his diploma.

Reeder also had a message for other kids who may be struggling to find motivation to attend school.

“Go ahead and work hard and get it done,” Reeder said. “You’ll feel a whole lot better in the end.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SUMMER ‘97 GRADUATES Here is a list of the summer school graduates and the high schools they attended:

Adrian Black, Cheney Tiffany Bruns, Rogers Jeremy Clagget, Rogers Wendi Gasser, Lewis and Clark Teresa Mabbott, Shadle Park Jason Makin, Rogers Jude Mulanax, Rogers Eric McBride, Shadle Park Robert Reeder, Rogers David Swenson, Shadle Park Marie Zehnder, Lewis and Clark