Bret and Goldie Christensen of Freeland announce the graduation of their son MAVERICK CHRISTENSEN cum laude with a bachelor of science degree specializing in marine transportation from the California State Maritime Academy.

Earlier this year, he passed the stringent National Coast Guard exams, earning officer licensing for “unlimited horsepower ” and “unlimited tonnage vessels in all oceans.”

Also, he earned qualifications as shipboard medic, navigator, radio operator, and safety officer, to name a few. He was awarded the degree of merchant marine mate 3rd class. This is the first in a series of steps leading to the title of captain.

Just before graduation, he was hired by a large tugboat firm operating in the Gulf of Mexico. He entered its pilot program, on the fast track toward captain, and returned to the crew he interned with as a steersman. He is currently in the wheelhouse of a large tugboat pushing barges in the Houston Ship Canal.

Christensen graduated from South Whidbey High School in 2015. Throughout his student career he was the recipient of many awards, some of which were created in perpetuity to honor his achievements and qualities.

He was the first recipient of the “Maverick” award, named in his honor and awarded annually, for his excellence in leadership while playing football. He was also the first to be awarded the CITA Award by Island County Children’s Commission for “acts of kindness.” He tutored other students from grade school through high school, was a student liaison, served as class president and was co-captain of the football team his senior year.

Awarded the Guy Pitzer Award for Personal Achievement, he distinguished himself academically and was chosen as a speaker at his eighth and 12th-grade graduations.