R.A. Long, Mark Morris high school graduations marked by Nippon accident

The R.A. Long and Mark Morris high school graduation ceremonies returned to Memorial Stadium Saturday after being moved to alternate venues due to construction the previous year.

R.A. Long graduate and former track athlete Jillian Woodruff said she was excited for the opportunity to graduate at the school's traditional venue.

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"It's really special to be here on the track where I've been running for the last three years," she said.

Speeches at both events encouraged students to maintain their independence and sense of responsibility as they move forward in life.

"Your future is built in small, daily decisions: showing up when it's hard, following through when no one's watching and choosing effort over convenience," Mark Morris teacher Steve Kloke said during the staff address.

R.A. Long Principal Rich Reeves echoed a similar sentiment.

"As you leave high school, you'll gain something exciting, which is freedom, but within freedom comes responsibility," he said.

Though joyful, the events were marked by reminders of the deadly May 26 accident at the Nippon Dynawave plant. Both ceremonies opened with a moment of remembrance for the Nippon chemical spill, which killed 11 people, including two Longview residents.

Throwing caps

Mark Morris High School graduates throw their caps at the end of the ceremony Saturday, June 6. The event proceeded as normal despite leadership changes at the school.

Neither ceremony made mention of the ongoing investigations into allegations of sexual assault at Mark Morris or the May 21 arrest of Superintendent Karen Cloninger.

Cloninger was placed on administrative leave after her arrest, along with Executive Director of Student Services Andrew Schoonover and three unnamed Longview School District officials.

Mark Morris Assistant Principal Jason Mackey handled the presentation of the class during the Mark Morris ceremony. District officials have stated he is currently leading the school, though they have not said why.

Jumping with joy

A Mark Morris High School graduate leaps off the stage after receiving his diploma Saturday, June 6. The ceremony was moved back to Memorial Stadium after extended renovations were complete.

In a statement to The Daily News, district officials wrote that they could not confirm whether Mark Morris Principal Aaron Whitright was one of the officials placed on leave.

Mark Morris graduate Megan King said she hasn't been aware of much discussion among students about the controversy.

"Honestly, staff has kept it pretty normal," she said.

Mark Morris graduate Bryce Farquhar said the allegations have given his class the opportunity to grow through their response.

"It's definitely been weird, but I feel like our class has come together as a community to deal with it," he said.

After the ceremony

R.A. Long High School graduates celebrate after their graduation ceremony Saturday, June 6. The ceremony was rescheduled due to expected thunderstorms, but graduates' spirits were not dampened.

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This story was originally published June 7, 2026 at 12:44 PM.