FEDERAL WAY, Wash. - For some Federal Way high school seniors, Saturday was the most exciting day of their young lives. But for other graduates of Decatur High School, it's bittersweet.
Seniors Derek King and Nicholas Hodgins were killed Wednesday night by a suspected drunken driver
Susan Hong knew King.
"It's unfortunate everything had to happen like that especially before graduation. He was definitely the most excited of all of us," she said.
"It saddens me we are here without two of our Decatur family members this afternoon," said school Principal Thomas Leacy told the crowd of about 400 graduates and their friends and family.
Saturday's graduation ceremony began with a moment of silence for the two young men who lost their lives. "I ask that in their memory, and in the memory of all loved ones we collectively lost this year, that we dedicate this night and at this time share a moment of silence together" said Leacy.
School Board Member Amye Bronson-Doherty brought Kleenex to the podium. As she fought back tears, she said she was inspired by the outpouring of love from graduating seniors," Sometimes it takes a life changing event to reveal the true power of love among family and friends."
King and Hodgins' names were called when they were supposed to receive their diplomas. The lone surviving teenager of the crash, Anthony Beaver, wore his best friends cap and gown. He took the stage to accept Derek King's diploma. Nicholas Hodgins sister accepted his degree.
Beaver still sported the wounds to his face suffered in the crash. As he left the stage, with his diploma in his hand, his friends showed their love with hugs and well wishes.
"I am not going to say goodbye. Instead, to say, see you later, to all of our class including Nick and Derek " says class president Dylan Aparis. He scrapped his original speech in order to honor the two classmates who lost their lives just days away from graduation." Do not say they are gone. Because they will always be in our hearts." says Aparis.
In memory of King and Hodgins, many of the graduates carried two flowers throughout the ceremony. When they received their diplomas, the seniors put their flowers in a vase near the stage. "To honor them," says senior Anthony Crouts. He says a text message send around school, told seniors to bring two roses to the ceremony.
Wednesday night along I-5 in Tukwila, a suspected drunken driver plowed into the back of Anthony Beaver's car, killing his two best friends.
Troopers say they found a half filled bottle of vodka in the Ford Explorer driven by 50-year-old Alexander Peder.
On Friday, Peder made his first court appearance, where a judge ordered him held on $1 million bail for two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of assault.
A memorial for Nick Hodgins will be held on June 19 at 1 p.m. at Decatur High. The family says the public is welcome.
