Six Whittell High School students make up the smallest graduating class in school history

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - The 64th graduating class at Whittell High School at Lake Tahoe will be its smallest with just six students.

The class started at the school with 35 students, then COVID happened and most did not return. There were five seniors when the school year started, then that dropped to four, and then there were six!

The class may be small, but they are mighty. One is heading to Camp Pendleton after graduation as a Marine, while his five classmates will continue their education.

The graduates:

Matthew Deaton was at Douglas High School last year, then relocated to Lake Tahoe. He will be joining the Marines after high school. He will be following the steps of his uncle, who is also a Marine.

Lisa Henry and her family moved to Lake Tahoe from Modesto when she was three. She will be studying nursing at Western Nevada College (WNC) and then plans to follow nursing studies at the University of Nevada Reno (UNR). She said when her grandpa was in and out of the hospital she saw the nurses keeping him alive, giving her a great reason to become a nurse as well.

Sonnet Van Doren is the new addition to the graduating class. She will get her diploma a full year early and is headed to Stanford University to study environmental engineering. Sonnet will also earn an AA degree from WNC in June and has been on the Dean's List while a student there. Since she grew up in the Sierra, Sonnet said she wants to protect the environment and specialize in freshwater lakes.

Avi Rippet is a native of Lake Tahoe and will be taking her future studies to San Diego State University. Avi, who already has her own business, will be studying business marketing. She said she was a young girl when she started her own "conglomerate" and will be looking to expand on her skills in college.

Ella Moretti is also a Lake Tahoe native. She is also headed to San Diego State University this fall and will most likely be studying pre-law. She said she has always been interested in government and "likes to argue."

Alekzander Lezama rounds out the class of six. He too is a native of Lake Tahoe and returned to the South Shore in fifth grade. Zander is headed to the University of Nevada, Reno to study engineering. He said he has always liked to build things.

This year's class size looks to be an anomaly as the Class of 2025 will have 24 graduates, just like last year's class. Looking down the class sizes, if all students stay in the district, there should be 14 in the Class of 2026 33 in the Class of 2027 and 2029, with 17 in the Class of 2028.

The current senior class says they have enjoyed their small numbers. They are very close, and, like family, they have had some sibling-type issues...but they make up quickly.

What they've enjoyed about their class: Being close to teachers and getting to know each person individually; it's quiet and chill; if they struggle they can get a teacher to help; small teams and easy to learn; great teacher-student relationships which lets them get the help they need.

"It feels like we are a family," said Avi. "You're friends with everyone and can go to anyone for a great conversation."

Some high school graduating classes have what is known as a senior prank, and when asked if they have one planned their principal, Sean Ryan, who was sitting with them, shook his head and jokingly said "Shhhhhhhh." Ella said they are discussing ideas on how to leave their stamp on the school as the smallest class to graduate from there. Perhaps a mural or garden, but the ideas are still flowing.

The prom is with the junior class and will be held at the historic Thunderbird Lodge this year. The estate was home to their school's namesake so seemed fitting.

When Sean asked the soon-to-be graduates what they'd like to tell their 28 classmates who didn't return after COVID, Avi said "You made a mistake." She said they thought of greener pastures elsewhere, but they've missed out on great friends and a great support system.

The smallness of Whittell allowed an easy return post-COVID, said the students. They didn't have to rotate days at school and were able to sit six feet apart.

Teacher Cathy Johnson said she'd been with this class since they were in sixth grade.

"Graduation is such an emotional time," she said. "I know them so well."

Sean said they don't have a lot of the problems other schools have since they grew up together. All six of the graduates are athletes and have had their choices of teams with a small student population.

There is no valedictorian at Whittell and all six students will be honored and speaking at their June 13 graduation.

(In the photo above, left to right: Alekzander Lezama, Avi Rippet, Matthew Deaton, Ella Moretti, Sonnet Van Doren and Lisa Henry)