Class Speaker Emma Wieseler.
Star Eagle photos by Amelia Roessler
By AMELIA ROESSLER
Staff Writer
One by one, they walked out into the world. The Waseca High class of 2022 graduated 121 students Sunday afternoon, May 29, 2022 in a packed gymnasium in Waseca.
The seniors walked solemnly into the gym to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance.” The graduating class and audience were welcomed by Senior Class President Jaidence Medina. The class escorts were Mr. John Hanson and Mr. Jake Nelson and the class turners were Mrs. Brenda Nelson and Mr. David Oraskovich.
The class’s motto, “Learn from the past; excel in the present; challenge the future,” was quite fitting for the class speakers, Nicola DeJager, Student Council President Alayna Akers, and Emma Wieseler. They each touched on important aspects needed in life. Wieseler talked about being yourself – your true self. Dejager touched on the fact that, although this class has had a lot of trials in their past four years, that those opportunities to grow have led them to come out stronger and wiser than before. Akers talked about leading with love and following your heart, and keeping the virtue of compassion close in mind.
During the Presentation of the Class, Principal Dr. Miller stayed on theme as he reminisced about his time, six years, spent working with the class of '22.
He talked of the good and the bad, field trips and retreats, and the tragic death of classmate Lexi Tiegs.
Dr. Miller thanked the school board for being there, Mr. Oraskovich, retired English teacher, for being a legend and an honored guest, and finally he thanked Vice Principal Johnston and Dean of Students Jake Nelson for assisting him.
The Presentation of Diplomas was filled with cheers and happiness as students crossed the stage to receive their diplomas from members of the board of education.
Of the 121 graduates, 71 graduated with honors, and 10 with a GPA of 4.0 or higher.
Last year, in order to accommodate the high number of students earning a 4.0 or higher, Waseca High School decided no longer to name a Valedictorian and Salutatorian. In its place, the Latin Honors system is a system of academic recognition based on consistently applied standards instead of relative measures of performance and peer comparison and class rankings. Latin honors recognizes all students who perform exceedingly high academic standards instead of honoring only a handful of students. Graduates who received Latin Honors were recognized with the following cords and names: Summa Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.90-4.0+ (white chords); Magna Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.75-3.89 (blue and white chords); Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.5-3.74 (blue and gold chords); and With Honor with a GPA of 3.0-3.49 (gold chords).
The ten students who had both a gpa of 4.0 or higher and were a Minnesota Honor society member were: Hannah Berndt, Nicola DeJager, Katrina Fuller, Cora McCabe, Jaidence Medina, Jadyn Olsem, Sophia Potter, Eliza Sankovitz, Brooke Tramp, Emma Wieseler.
As the program came to a close, graduates tossed their caps into the air, and confetti flew, while parents, friends, teachers, and all those in attendance celebrated the class of 22’ as they embark on the next chapter in their lives.
Class Speaker and Senior Class President, Jaidence Medina.