Cashmere students march toward a promising new school year

CASHMERE– Cashmere High School’s class of 2025 rode through town in a celebratory annual parade, kicking off the first day of yet another successful school year.

With a promising football season in a new league, a constantly growing student body, and a heavy focus on academic rigor, Cashmere School District’s 2024/2025 school year promises a great deal of development and fun for every student. 

Cashmere High School Principal, Craig Mackenzie, looks forward to the school year with optimism after meeting many of the school’s newcomers at freshman orientation. 

“I’m excited to see all the students in the building,” MacKenzie shared. We’ve got about 144 freshmen in our incoming class. 140 of those kids made it to orientation today, so that really bodes well in terms of the kids’ commitment to being in school.”

In welcoming so many new students to the high school, Mackenzie is eager to continue his faculty’s mission of helping kids find success not only in the classroom but also in everyday life.

“Our job is to create a pathway for students to achieve at the highest levels,” he explained, “and I think that rings true not only for their work in the classroom but for who they are in their daily interactions within our school community, and for their participation in extracurricular activities.”

While all of Cashmere School District equips its students with the technology and guidance to achieve these high standards, CHS faculty work especially hard at instilling confidence within its student body and further encouraging independence as they discover their passions and weaknesses.

A major obstacle that the faculty at CHS faces each day is ensuring that each student feels this confidence in whatever they choose to pursue.

“I think for us, it’s really more about helping them feel comfortable and competent,” Principal MacKenzie revealed, “not only walking in the building every day, but also walking into every classroom. And that can be a challenge for students. We all have our strengths and areas where we need to grow and develop.”

Propelling this goal forward is Cashmere School District’s uniquely student-centered academic culture which constantly celebrates its kids, focusing on their successes while encouraging them to learn from mistakes.

Principal Mackenzie reaffirms this student-centered approach alongside his staff at the high school.

“I think we’re fortunate to have a close-knit community here in our school,” he said. We’ve got a faculty and staff that absolutely cares about kids, and we're excited to challenge them to the edges of their comfort levels while providing them the support to achieve at those high levels.” 

Continuing to prep for the hectic first day of school, Mackenzie finished his thoughts with a hopeful mention of the high school’s new senior class, already proud of their hard work and growth.

“It’s a great group of kids who really understand what it is to be a positive representative in our community, and we appreciate all the work that they’ve already begun in modeling those expectations for the class of 2028, our newest Freshman class.” 

With the school year underway, Cashmere students and staff look forward to the upcoming Fall sports seasons, including cross country, girls soccer, girls volleyball, and an exciting football debut season in the competitive South Central Athletic Conference. 

Students, staff, and parents alike follow the 2025 seniors in their smiling march toward a bright new school year! 

Will Nilles: (509) 731-3211 or will@ward.media