Jacob Dimond / jake@yelmonline.com
After 12 years of education and four enduring years of high school, Yelm High School’s class of 2026 celebrated their dedication to learning on Thursday, June 4, with this year’s rendition of Community Awards Night.
Over 100 seniors from YHS and Yelm Extension Schools attended the 2026 Community Awards Night to receive recognition or a scholarship. The evening’s packed house included family and friends of the 2026 graduating class, as well as Yelm Community Schools Board of Directors members, YHS and YES teachers and staff.
According to Nicole Mathis, with the YHS Career Center, this year, YHS students filled out a record number of college applications throughout her time at the school. She’s currently in her ninth year with YHS.
Additionally, Mathis told the Nisqually Valley News that $407,500 in scholarships from either Yelm, Thurston County or Washington state organizations were announced during the evening. She noted this is an increase of roughly $40,000 from last year.
Locally, Yelm donors and organizations contributed $215,000 to YHS graduates this year.
“If we combine scholarship offers from colleges with local and national scholarships received, I believe the total is well over $2.5 million,” Mathis wrote. “At least 10 of our students have committed to military service. 13 student athletes will be competing at the next level in college. 7 students received athletic awards.”
The two YHS athletes who received the Jonny Silas Most Inspirational Athlete Awards were Sterling Temple and Rylan Beaudin. The Kalama Multi-Sport Athlete Award was given to Jonah Smith. The Swain McLennan Outstanding Citizenship Award was given to Kailey Slevin and Ethan Srewart. The Scholar Athlete Award was given to Ciarra-Nicole Bratton. Lastly, the Nya Faith Award was given to Wesley Thompson.
In total, Yelm Dollars for Scholars contributed $179,000 this year to the event. Yelm Community Education Foundation provided $16,500 worth of scholarship opportunities. Rotary Club of Yelm donated $5,000. Justin Norton Memorial Scholarship contributed $5,000. Yelm FFA Alumni contributed $6,000. Yelm Extracurricular Association (YECA) donated $2,000. Prairie Aerie Eagles contributed $1,000, and Yelm PSE donated $500 to YHS seniors in the form of scholarships.
