by Jim Boyle
Editor
More than 100 Spectrum High School seniors graduated on May 23 at commencement exercises inside the school’s packed gymnasium in Elk River.
Samantha Pallin directed the school’s chamber winds and wind ensemble in a performance of “Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar, arranged by Michael Story, as 102 members of the Class of 2024 filed into their seats in front of the stage.
Once seated, the Elk River Police Honor Guard presented the colors and David Lucas, president of the Spectrum Board of Directors, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Katelyn Hanson, the school’s salutatorian, welcomed and greeted everyone with her speech.
“I have been counting down the days until graduation and ... starting the next chapter, although this day is bittersweet,” Hanson said. “Throughout high school we have been through many ups and downs, but have always pushed through them together.”
She said the Class of 2024 has pushed through blended learning, unfavorable parking situations and sat through infinite lectures, quizzes and tests all while relying on one another for studying or homework help.
She got laughs pointing out some of the class antics, including random parking lot barbecues. “I also think that our class single-handedly kept the Elk River Starbucks in business the past few years,” she said.
She expressed confidence in her classmates.
“As we move forward into the next stage of our lives, I know we will succeed,” she said. “Not only has everyone in this room helped us get to where we are today, but Spectrum has given us so many skills to take into our future. I hope we will all continue to cherish the friendships, experiences, and knowledge we have gained from our time here.”
The Spectrum High School Chamber Choir, under the direction of Chloe Peiffer, performed “Homeward Bound” arranged by Jay Althouse before Daniel Grib gave the honor student address.
Grib started with thanking his parents for teaching him how to read, write, walk and speak and attending parent-teacher conferences just to hear how great he was doing, as people chuckled.
He also thanked them for cooking meals better than any restaurant, because the best restaurant has always been the one he could call home, he said.
“I would not be standing here today without you, and I am very grateful for all you have done,” he said. “So, graduates do not forget to thank your parents for bringing you to where you are today.”
Grib also thanked teachers who never gave up on students and for pretending to understand their late night emails, built with excuses that were more creative than their homework assignments.
He also commented on fruits and vegetables they were given but did not eat, the school lunches, and being taught his lunch code so well he could type it in his sleep. Kidding aside, he said he still reminisces about the legendary Pizza Fridays many years ago and thanked the kitchen staff for serving food every day.
“And thank you to the janitors for attempting to clean the ... dropped food and dealing with the stolen soap dispensers from the bathrooms during the TikTok (challenge) in 2021,” he said.
He told students to remember that success is not always about grades or the amount of money you make, but the memories you can make along the way.
Sometimes we miss them because we are “too busy” to have them.
“So raise your energy drinks, order pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks, and continue to create those moments no one can forget,” he said.
He concluded: “Go, Sting!”
Spectrum Executive Director Dan DeBruyn, introduced the keynote speaker Dave Ryan from KDWB (see sidebar on the next page).
Darrell Skog introduced the Spirit Awards. Lucas acknowledged the scholarships, and school counselors Heather Trieu and Stepanie Korbes introduced the outstanding student scholars who completed Minnesota Transfer Curriculum or achieved associate degrees while in high school.
Ten students completed the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (60 college credits): Connor Bakken, Cody Koch, Samuel Lerom, Violet Sorensen, John Sweet, Addison Dahl, Abbey Korpi, Naomi Orth, Benjamin Steinle, and Sophia Vinlove.
Twenty-two students completed associate degrees while in high school: Brady Anacker, Arianna Bechthold, Emery Deusterman, Alexander Frischholz, Daniel Grib, Amelia Halverson, Lucille Hanson, Jeramyah Johnson, James Paulson, Caroline Person, Kaylin Walters, Kiera Anderson, Emma Cerezo, Blake Femrite, Etta Glinsek, Emilia Guse, Katelyn Hanson, Ingrid Herstad, Grace Kleinman, Ellen Peckham, Addan Schmidt and Ollie Zander.
After these students were recognized, DeBruyn presented the graduates, and Principal Mark Leland and Lucas led the conferral of diplomas. With the help of senior advisers Nicole Beehler, Sara Navratil, Andrew Nyquist, Sara Peloquin, Daniel Rodin and Violeta Toven, each student was awarded a rose upon receiving their diploma case.
Upon conclusion of the ceremony, graduates threw their mortarboards high into the air in a show of excitement for the night ahead — and their futures.
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