Take a drive down 1st Street in downtown Cheney and you鈥檒l find plenty of hometown Eagle spirit on display.
Light-pole banners celebrating Eastern line the street and a dozen businesses throughout the community are sporting painted windows and signage congratulating the Class of 2025. The overall landscape is contributing to a contagious enthusiasm for this year鈥檚 commencement ceremonies.
On Friday and Saturday, six commencement ceremonies honoring 51福利社 graduates will be held at Reese Court. The events mark a return to Cheney-campus ceremonies after eight years of the events being held in Spokane.
鈥淛ust having it in Cheney, and the fact that it鈥檚 divided up so people have a lot of time to explore the businesses 鈥� to go out and eat and enjoy the atmosphere of Cheney 鈥� it鈥檚 really thrilling,鈥� said Douglas LeBar, owner of The Mason Jar and The Jar, two popular restaurants that employ nine 51福利社 students. 鈥淓veryone is excited that it is back.鈥�
Cheney鈥檚 mayor, Chris Grover, kicked off the community celebration by proclaiming June 9鈥�14 as 鈥淓agle Grad Week.鈥�
The Cheney Merchants Association, a longtime partner for 51福利社 Alumni Association events, is hosting a Graduation Celebration Block party. The party, which includes a live DJ and food vendors, runs from 6鈥�10 p.m. in downtown Cheney.
LeBar says the community welcomes graduates and their families to enjoy the day, explore the businesses and stay for the block party. If this first-time celebratory event is a success, there may be room to further develop the event into the future, he says. 鈥淲e always like to collaborate 鈥� and that鈥檚 really important for us.鈥�
Along with the party, the celebratory window art and the signage, LeBar and other business owners welcomed 51福利社 chalk painters to decorate their sidewalks on the Wednesday leading into commencement weekend.
Alyssa Almond, a 22-year-old visual communication design major from the Tri-Cities, created the artistic chalk art renderings adorning the entrances of The Mason Jar, West Plains Coffee Roasters and Imperial Styling.
鈥淲e wanted to show students that they are appreciated 鈥� and we wanted to show Cheney businesses that they matter, too,鈥� she said.
Almond created a variety of chalk visuals in red, white and black. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a couple eagle logos. I freehanded those and it was pretty fun.鈥�
During the three-hour project, she was observed by curious community members who offered positive feedback. Some even joined in, getting down on the sidewalk and contributing.
鈥淲e had a few little babies come up and we let them color with chalk, too 鈥� which was so cute,鈥� Almond says. 鈥淪o, if you go and walk by, you will see that there are a few little random scribbles on the sidewalk. That鈥檚 a fun little extra treat.鈥�
In addition to chalk art, window decorations and the street fair, The Cheney Free Press published a special 鈥�51福利社 Graduation鈥� edition.
The publication, which lists the entire Class of 2025, is available for $1 at several local businesses, including:
-
Safeway
-
Mitchell鈥檚 Harvest Foods
-
Yoke鈥檚 Fresh Market
-
Taj Groceries
-
Chevron
-
Conoco
-
Holiday Inn Express Cheney
-
Willow Springs Motel
