NRHEG Commencement, June 6, 2021
ONE LAST TIME - For the first time in 15 months, the class of 2021 was together, for the final time. Seated listening to speakers are Courtney Techau, Jenika Tonkin, Grace Tufte, Jazmyne Urschitz, and Kayliegh Wilkie. See the June 10 edition of the Star Eagle for many more photos from graduation. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Together they stood together for the final time.
One by one, they walked out into the world.
The NRHEG High School class of 2021 graduated 68 students Sunday afternoon in a packed high school gymnasium in New Richland– something not possible a year ago.
“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 influential teacher,” along with teachers and support staff.
This past year, teachers faced the most challenging time of their careers. “You persevered in your mission of service to students,” Carlson said. “Today we celebrate you as well.”
Carlson encouraged the graduates to change the world, cherish friendships, and follow their hearts and intuition.
“You have demonstrated over and over again your resilience, determination and resolution,” said Carlson. “We’re proud of you.”
High school principal David Bunn introduced Aubrey Fischer, from the NRHEG band, who performed a piano solo, “Hall of Fame.”
Class speakers, elected by their peers, were Kendall Johnson, Caden Riewer, and Ashton Cords.
Johnson thanked those who pushed her and her classmates. She recounted several stories about her classmates, or rather her, “second family” as they grew up together, including how Mr. Domeier earned his infamous nickname “Homie Domie.”
“What I would give to watch a trash can fly over the lockers after lunch,” Johnson said. “Or go outside for a fire drill caused by Nathan’s destroyed phone.”
Johnson said her favorite memory was coming back to school this year and “finally being able to create our final memories as a senior class.”
How the class of 2021 was feeling was described in one word: grateful.
“The class of 2021 may someday be just another graduating class from this school, but it will always mean something to us,” said Johnson. “Thank you for the last 13 years. I wouldn’t trade them for an A on every single Bently paper.”
Riewer spoke about how surprised he was to find himself, on stage, alongside his fellow graduates. “I want this speech to be about the now. About how we've made it here, despite the challenges.”
Riewer described the difficulty that was senior year– navigating distance learning, the mask mandate, and other school activities. “It’s not just about what classes we took and whether we were in our bed or in a desk. It’s about how we did it... It got us here, to the doorstep of graduation.”
A.C. Cords asked his fellow classmates and those in attendance what they want in life. “Have you ever been asked, ‘If you have want in one hand and crap in other, which one fills up first?’
“I hate that question,” said Cords. “The way I see it is, once you want something, it’s like making a goal.”
Cords spoke about his “wants” in life– to make a living performing music and creating YouTube videos. “I spent eight years of my life ‘wanting’ when it only took nine months to prove those people wrong.”
Cords went on to talk about wait versus want. “The funny thing about ‘wait’ and ‘want,’ at least to me, is that they have three letters in common. W, A, and T. Once ‘I’ get in there, I guess I’m waiting.”
Cords thanked those in attendance and asked what he considered the most important question a person will ever be asked, “What are you doing with your life?”
A prerecorded song, “I’ll Always Remember You,” by Jessie Alexander and Mitch Allen, was performed by choir members, Ashton Johnson, Katie Lee, Dylan Loken, and Amy Tasker, accompanied by choir director Jennifer Fredrickson.
Grace Tufte and Hanna Crabtree 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.
“Your acts don’t go unnoticed and we couldn’t be more grateful,” said Tufte. “Thank you.”
“I will say, parents, you raised some pretty cool kids,” said Crabtree. “Good job.”
Bunn introduced Co-Salutatorians Anna Jacobson and Grace Tufte, who both compiled a grade point average of 3.99 and Valedictorian Kendall Johnson, whose GPA was 4.00.
School board members Travis Routh, Loren Schoenrock, alongside Carlson, presented diplomas to the graduates.
When finished, 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.”
The Star Eagle would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who helped put graduation together. They are too numerous to list.