66 NRHEG seniors earn their diploma
IT’S OFFICIAL — Seniors move their tassels from left to right to signify their graduation. Front: Karenna Strom, Jadyn Surat. Back: Dylan Mosher, Shaun Gullickson, Krista Myers. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
Together they stood for the final time.
One by one, they walked out into the world.
The NRHEG High School class of 2019 graduated Sunday afternoon in a nearly packed high school gymnasium in New Richland. Sixty-six received a diploma.
“It’s a privilege and honor to be part of your celebration today,” said superintendent Dale Carlson, who thanked everyone who made it possible: the school board; parents and guardians, “your child’s most important teacher,” along with teachers and support staff.
Carlson encouraged the graduates to change the world, cherish friendships, and follow their hearts and intuition.
“We’re proud of you,” said Carlson. “I wish you the best, and job well done.”
High school principal David Bunn introduced director Miles Otstot and the NRHEG Band, which traditionally chooses one song to play during commencement. This year’s selection was “Call of the Wild,” by Brian Balmages.
Class speakers, elected by their peers, were Jazzlyn Johnson, Lexie Ignaszewski and Dalton Kraay.
Johnson spoke of memories from kindergarten, including the tragic death of classmate Markus Misgen between sixth and seventh grade. A photo of Misgen was displayed in the lobby.
Johnson’s voice was shaking and she was on the edge of tears in remembering Misgen.
Ignaszewski talked about “spark” and how it can help everyone thrive despite a recent study that said a relatively small percentage of graduating classes will “thrive” in life.
“What is your spark?” she asked. “There’s so much in front of us. We have endless opportunities.”
Kraay joked about not being the best speaker in his class, but, since he was the last, folks could take consolation in that.
“Where am I going?” asked Kraay. “We’re all going somewhere. It’s all about what we choose. I have absolutely no idea what’s going on. But I have hope — hope for all of us.”
Kraay said his brother, Cody, who graduated eight years ago, taught him the value of putting in extra effort and not procrastinating.
Aubrey Johnson performed a vocal solo of “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” by Green Day, before sharing one last hug with choir director Jennifer Fredrickson.
Brooke Wobschall and Tanner Smith Vulcan led the traditional Parent Appreciation Presentation, during which graduates deliver a flower to their parent figures seated around the gym. As usual, it evoked a few tears.
Bunn introduced Salutatorian Caitlin Goette, who compiled a grade point average of 3.902, and Valedictorian Ignaszewski, whose GPA was 3.951.
School board members Karen Flatness and Rick Schultz, alongside Carlson, presented diplomas to the graduates.
When that was done, Bunn asked the graduates to stand and move the tassels on their caps.
“You are now officially graduated,” said Bunn. “Your diploma is just a learner’s permit for the rest of your life. You don’t have to be smarter than the person next to you. All you have to do is work harder than the person next to you.”