by Jim Boyle
Editor
Elk River High School’s Class of 2024 collected their diplomas at commencement exercises on Thursday, June 6, the culmination of 13 years of education, including the last four that were punctuated by the arrival of a pandemic followed by three years of adjusting until arriving at a new normal.
Speakers expressed confidence in the futures of the 490 students who donned red gowns, caps and tassels and other academic regalia as they embark on the next step of their lives.
Elk River High School Principal Terry Bizal welcomed guests in the gymnasium, inside Zabee Theater and online. The class was ushered into the gymnasium with “Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar as performed by the Elk River High School Bands under the direction of John Rosner.
The Elk River Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors before “The Star Spangled Banner” by John Stafford Smith was performed by the high school band, and Elk River High School’s school rouser, arranged by Bruce Pearson in 1966 with original score for the Elk River Rouser created before 1930, followed.
Superintendent Dan Bittman thanked people for coming together for the graduates and being part of ISD 728 as well as sharing their time and energy with the district.
He told students they have built a foundation for their future, “one that is strong and capable of supporting your dreams and ambitions.”
He encouraged them to carry forward the lessons that they have learned here in Elk River and ISD 728.
“Embrace curiosity, nurture your passions and strive to make a positive impact with whatever you decide to do,” he said. “Remember success is not measured solely by your achievements, but also by the kindness you show others and the integrity by which you live your life.”
Class Speaker Lily Burkness noted she walked the halls with them and joined many Google Meets with them over the years.
“I will never forget the countless breakout rooms that I had to go into, Mr. (Barry) Hohlen’s riddle of the day at the end of every Google Meet or having to blast my trumpet into my Chromebook to get the sound to pick up,” she said. “In a time full of uncertainty, I was grateful to have my classmates and teachers to rely on every day.
“Now, jumping ahead to this year, I truly now understand what it means when people say time goes by fast. I will never forget the feeling of walking into this building on my first day of senior year, so excited to see where the year would take me. From all of the last football, hockey, and baseball games, to our final homecoming pep fest, there were so many things that were so hard to say goodbye to.”
The Class of 2024 will scatter to the four winds, some headed to college or tech school, while others are headed into the armed forces or making plans to join the workforce, Bizal said. This year 132 seniors were awarded 190 scholarships from the community and businesses totaling $164,000.
Burkness’ speech was followed by a performance of “The Road Home” by Stephen Paulus performed by the Elk River High School Chamber Choir under the direction of Kelly Heinonen.
Afterward, High Honors representative Lucas Larson encouraged students not to get lost in COVID comparisons.
“Enduring COVID doesn’t have to define who we are,” he said. “Our stories go all the way back to kindergarten and all the years leading up to this one last time where we are all together. Our one last hoorah.
“I think we need to take a moment to appreciate all of the friends we’ve made over the years. In addition we need to honor the people who have supported us along the way.”
The Class of 2024 took time at its graduation to applaud those in the gymnasium and elsewhere who helped them get to graduation day. Larson also helped his classmates reflect on who couldn’t be there today. He also gave a shout out to all the teachers who encouraged them through distance learning their freshman year, through coming back to school and trying to figure it all out, and all the way through to their senior year, “making sure we would succeed.”
Larson told his peers whether their path was easy or a struggle, they all made it and that alone is impressive.
“No matter what you do with your life, I hope you remember this one thing: If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, anything is possible,” Larson said.
Teacher Melissa Deakins, the faculty representative selected by the students to speak, shared about the heart and soul of the Class of 2024 she came to know during the past four years.
Their time at Elk River High School ran parallel with one of the most difficult stretches of her own personal life. She explained how she got through it and how students helped her get through.
She said she knew she had to do something to change the trajectory of her life in 2020. She forced herself to write daily in a gratitude journal.
“Initially, it was hard for me to find the good things in each day; there were actually evenings where I would sit there for what seemed like hours searching my thoughts from that day for just three things that I could be thankful for,” she said. “As difficult as it was to identify those things, I continued to do it day after day, for months and years.”
She experienced brokenness, death and other struggles in her personal and family life during this trying time.
“I watched my father become weaker and weaker from the effects of cancer, which would eventually take his life; my mom, who was heartbroken from the loss of her husband, moved in with me; I changed positions at Elk River High School; I sold my home and I moved into a new one,” she recalled. “All of these were huge hurdles for me and each one brought its challenges, but through it all, I continued to record those three things that I was grateful for each day.”
Eventually, she told herself: “ ‘Your “amazing” is on its way, Melissa,’ and I started to believe it.”
With each passing day, she said she got a little happier, smiling became easier.
“I’m not sure of the exact day, but I remember standing in front of my classroom with a group of you kids and realizing that I was already living in my ‘amazing’ every day and it was because of all of you,” she said.
Deakins shared stories of inspirational Post-It notes, hand-written notes, flowers, cards and Weight Watcher-friendly treats.
She also spoke of invitations to the field, stage, arena, and workplace to see students in their element.
“You taught my girls how to ice skate and made my mom feel welcome at her first-ever hockey game,” Deakins said. “You brought me to tears when you presented me with the most amazing cribbage board. You stayed after class when you were worried about me, you bought me a hula hoop and tried your best to teach me. You spoiled me with Crumbl, banana bread, and some really awesome donuts.”
She went on.
“You shared with me your dreams, passions, fears, and life stories,” she said. “You embraced the Deakins Student of the Day award and pretended to be excited when I presented it to you. You even found blue Hawaiian Punch for me. You helped me move and you even fixed my lawn mower.
“You appreciated me as much as I appreciated you. Most importantly, you took care of one another. You noticed when others were struggling and you made others feel included. You helped to create a family, a community in our classroom and school, where everyone felt welcome.”
She concluded by asking students to never underestimate the power of gratitude.
“Make it a priority to find the good in every day and in every person, if you do, eventually all you will see is good. And good will spread like wildfire,” she said.
She also told the Class of 2024, life is so much more than a letter grade and the score you get on a test.
“It’s about showing up for yourself and for others and being a good person,” she said. “It is seeing the person in front of you and caring enough to let them know that you see them. There are no regrets in being a good person.”
She also thanked parents and guardians for sharing these amazing young people and congratulated the soon-to-be graduates.
“You have certainly passed the test, and I am so proud of you,” Deakins said. “Congratulations. Today really is a great day for a great day!”
Conferment of Diplomas was handled by members of the ISD 728 School Board, including directors John R. Anderson, Mindy Freiberg, Christi Tullbane and Sara Weis as well as Clerk Sarah Hamlin, Vice-Chair Joel Nelson and Chairwoman Holly Thompson.
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