06/11/2026
# The Rise of the Hyak Nation
There are moments in the life of a school when the future begins to take shape—not through chance, but through vision, commitment, and the collective efforts of people who believe that students are capable of extraordinary things.
The 2025-2026 school year will be remembered as one of those moments at North Beach Junior/Senior High School.
Just a few short years ago, student leadership at North Beach faced significant challenges. Opportunities for students to lead were limited, participation was inconsistent, and many of the traditions and systems that build a strong school culture had begun to fade. There was a leadership void that left many wondering what the future might hold.
Today, that future is clear.
This year marked a turning point as North Beach continued the intentional development of student leadership opportunities at every level. One of the most important changes was the separation of High School and Junior High ASB programs, creating opportunities for students to develop leadership skills appropriate to their age and experience while building a stronger pipeline of future leaders.
Under the guidance of Mitchell Jordan, the Junior High ASB transformed into something much greater than a student government organization. It became a leadership incubator. Students learned how to organize events, represent their peers, solve problems, and work together toward common goals. They developed confidence, responsibility, and a sense of ownership in their school. Most importantly, they began to see themselves as leaders capable of making a difference.
At the high school level, an exceptional group of student leaders helped elevate the culture of North Beach to new heights. Cash Gersitz, Kyla Eden, Dallas Alexander, Malik Patton, Holly Wasche, and many others demonstrated what authentic student leadership looks like. Their work extended far beyond planning activities and spirit events. They became role models for younger students, trusted partners for staff, and ambassadors for the values of the Hyak Nation.
Throughout the year, these student leaders worked tirelessly to create opportunities for connection, celebration, service, and school pride. They fostered a culture where students felt seen, heard, and valued. Their influence could be felt in classrooms, hallways, assemblies, athletic events, and community activities. They helped create an environment where students wanted to participate, wanted to belong, and wanted to contribute.
The impact of this leadership cannot be measured simply by the number of events held or meetings conducted. Its true impact can be seen in the confidence of students who discovered their voice, the friendships formed through service and collaboration, and the growing sense of pride that now exists throughout our school community.
What makes this work so significant is that it is self-sustaining.
Leadership creates leaders.
The junior high students being mentored today will become tomorrow's ASB officers, team captains, club presidents, and community leaders. The traditions being established today will become the expectations of future generations. The culture of service, ownership, and excellence being modeled by our current student leaders will continue to influence students long after they have graduated.
This is how legacies are built.
A school becomes great not because of a single class, a single teacher, or a single administrator. A school becomes great when its people commit themselves to something larger than themselves and leave it better than they found it. That is exactly what is happening at North Beach.
None of this growth has occurred by accident.
Behind every thriving culture is leadership willing to invest in people, empower students, and believe in possibilities that others cannot yet see. Principal Wendy McCoy has been that leader for North Beach. Her commitment to students, her support of staff, and her belief in the power of student leadership have helped create an environment where both students and adults can thrive.
Her leadership has not simply improved a school year; it has helped establish a foundation upon which future generations of Hyaks will build.
The work happening today will continue to shape North Beach for years to come. The students leading now will become graduates who carry the lessons of service, responsibility, and stewardship into their careers, families, and communities. Future students will inherit traditions and opportunities that did not exist before. The culture being built today will become part of the identity of North Beach itself.
The Hyak Nation is rising.
What is happening on Washington's coast is more than school spirit. It is more than student government. It is the development of a culture where students take ownership of their school, invest in one another, and understand that leadership is not about position—it is about service.
The momentum is real. The foundation is strong. The future is bright.
The Hyak Nation is becoming a force that cannot be contained—not because of any one person, but because an entire community has chosen to invest in its students and empower them to lead.
And this is only the beginning.
