Downieville Graduates Four in Class of 2026

DOWNIEVILLE — In a well-attended ceremony on June 13, Downieville High School graduated four seniors: Donovan Gonzalez, listed as “Peace Mediator,” Logan Kinneer, the salutatorian, Colton White, the valedictorian, and Mariah White, the class historian. Their diplomas were presented at the end of the ceremony by Superintendent Sean Snider and board member Patty Hall before the students moved their tassels and were formally presented as the Downieville class of 2026.

Principal Faith Edwards gave a welcoming message before introducing Kinneer for the salutatorian address. Edwards also announced that Kinneer had received the State Seal of Civic Engagement, an honor to be displayed on his diploma in recognition of civic responsibility.

Kinneer’s speech focused on gratitude for the people who helped him reach graduation. He thanked his parents, grandparents, extended family, friends, loved ones who had died, and school staff members who supported him through challenges.

“Wow, what a privilege it is to stand here in front of my family and friends today,” Kinneer said. He quoted the saying, “If you have a family that loves you, a few good friends, food on your table, and a roof over your head, you are richer than you think,” before adding, “Boy, is that true!”

Kinneer described his parents as his “biggest supporters” and said they had taught him kindness, honesty, hard work, and respect for others. He also spoke about his grandparents, sharing humorous memories of a truck catching fire during a trip to Grass Valley and a snake landing on his foot while his grandmother tried to remove it from a pond.

Kinneer also thanked a longtime friend, Jan Hamilton, who he said had been part of his life since 2011. He said their friendship introduced him to other people who became important to him, including Jan’s mother and friends in nursing homes whom he and Jan visited.

Near the end of his speech, Kinneer thanked school staff members Robin Bolle, Siobhan Markee, and Faith Edwards. He said Robin had advocated for him when he felt dismissed or overlooked, Markee helped him grow as a writer and student, and Edwards listened to him and made him feel valued.

“As I graduate, I am reminded that no one reaches this milestone alone,” Kinneer said. He said he would carry forward the love, lessons, and support of the people who helped shape him.

Mariah White followed with the class historian speech, giving the audience a lighter and more memory-filled look back at the class. She said the graduates’ time at Downieville School stretched back to kindergarten for much of the class, with Gonzalez joining the group later in high school.

“After 13 years of schooling, our time has finally come to an end,” White said. She recalled starting school with Colton, Logan, and others, and said Donovan joined in 10th grade, deciding “this was the place for him.”

White reflected on the shared childhood and school experiences that connected the class. She remembered “glued pom-poms,” learning times tables, environmental science class, inside jokes, senior year stress, and the everyday moments that made the small class close.

Her speech also drew laughs from memories of a classroom diss track competition and classmates shaving their heads and trying the banana-and-Sprite challenge. White said she would miss riding in the car with classmates, laughing together, and “always annoying the teachers” with her and Kinneer’s bickering.

“Even with all the stress of our senior year that has pushed us past our limits, I love everyone on the stage, and I can’t wait to see what they will achieve in their futures,” White said.

Alicia Misita, a Downieville Elementary teacher, addressed the graduates as guest speaker. She recalled welcoming three of the seniors into kindergarten 13 years earlier and described how the traits she saw then still carried through at graduation.

Misita described Colton White as creative and intelligent, Mariah White as confident, and Kinneer as determined and big-hearted. Although she did not teach Gonzalez, who joined the class later, she said his own kindergarten teacher likely would have seen early signs of the funny, smart, kind-hearted person he became.

Misita compared the end of high school to the beginning of kindergarten, saying both stages require students to try unfamiliar things, work through challenges, and rely on support from others. “We never outgrow our need for support,” she said, urging the graduates to continue leaning on family, friends, mentors, teachers, and others as they enter adulthood.

The scholarship portion of the ceremony highlighted extensive community support for the class. Edwards first called up Colton White and Logan Kinneer and announced that both had become lifetime members of the California Scholarship Federation for their academic work.

Scholarship awards announced during the ceremony went to Kinneer, Mariah White, and Colton White. The Martinelli family awarded scholarships to Mariah White and Kinneer, while the Bolle Scholarship for STEM-focused students went to Colton White.

The Teachers Union scholarship went to Mariah White. The E Clampus Vitus 1849 scholarship went to Kinneer, who was also recognized for his interest in local history.

The Sierra City Fire Auxiliary Scholarship also went to Kinneer. Presenter Lynn Fillo cited his academic record, community service, work at the Downieville Museum, service as a student representative on the school board, and interest in a Sierra County Sheriff’s Office career after interning there for his senior project.

The Downieville Volunteer Fire Association awarded Kinneer a $1,000 scholarship, describing him as community-minded and compassionate toward people and animals. The Downieville Lions Club awarded its scholarship to Colton White and gave its $1,000 student achievement award to Kinneer.

The Downieville Improvement Group awarded Kinneer a $1,000 scholarship, and the Downieville River Inn awarded him a $500 scholarship. The Sierra Buttes Snowbusters, after initially advertising one scholarship, awarded two $1,500 scholarships, one to Mariah White and one to Colton White.

The Villareal family awarded its scholarship to Kinneer for service to family, school, neighborhood, and community. The Sierra County Employees Association also awarded Kinneer $500 after reviewing four essays, with the presenter saying the final decision was decided by one vote.

After the scholarships, Mrs. Siobhan Markee performed an original song titled “The Doorway of Tomorrow.” Markee said the song, encouraging students to persevere through challenges and find their own voices in the next stages of their lives, began years earlier and has evolved over time with each graduation ceremony.

The diplomas were then presented to the four graduates by district superintendent Sean Snider. Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District governing board member Patty Hall certified that the students had satisfied all course requirements, and Edwards then presented the class of 2026.