The Bloomington Kennedy High School class of 2024 will host its commencement ceremony tonight, May 30, in Minneapolis.
Several Kennedy students were asked to share memories and experiences from their high school years. The participating students are Bryce Bannister, Kelsey Cruz Rojas, Sadia Mohamud and Rafael Pretel Ramos.
What was your favorite high school experience/memory?
Bannister: My favorite high school memory was participating in our fall musical this year. Our school put on a production of Disney’s “Newsies” and it was absolutely amazing. The songs and choreography were fun to learn and perform on stage. We received an award for the show altogether and also received a number of individual outstanding awards, one of those recipients being me. The feeling of adrenaline as the crowd erupted during the bows is something I will never forget. It really made it clear that performing is what I truly want to do in life.
Rojas: I was a very athletic kid growing up. But also a very shy one. I grew up playing soccer my whole life and I believed it was a sport I would never forget and would succeed at. This was true until my sophomore year when I was introduced to wrestling. This sport has taught me discipline, responsibility and confidence. One of my favorite high school experiences that I will never forget was my final match in the state tournament at the Xcel Center in St. Paul. I lost my semifinal match to the eventual state champion and I was fighting for third place. I ended my season in third place in the 148 bracket.
Mohamud: In my junior year, I had the opportunity to apply to become an officer for our National Honor Society. Although I did not necessarily want to, the seniors at the time told me that I should apply to be one. I ended up winning first place, which meant I got to pick my role, so I chose president. Becoming the president of NHS is a great achievement, it gave me proof that I was capable of more than I thought I was.
Ramos: My favorite high school experience was being part of student government, I loved collaborating with my classmates to organize events and really make a difference here at Kennedy. It was so rewarding to see everyone enjoying the dances and the spirit days we’d put together. Plus, the leadership skills and friendships gained will be unforgettable. Student government is about bringing people together and creating a positive school culture, and for that reason it will be a highlight for me.
What are your plans after graduation?
Bannister: My plan after graduation about a month ago was to perform in musicals on cruises. It’s something that really excites me but I decided to put it off for now. The reason I’m putting the cruise line to the side is because I was recently offered a position as assistant director for a Bloomington middle school show choir. I was super excited about the position and jumped onto that right away. I still want to perform, but for right now I want to inspire these kids and show them a new passion.
Rojas: After high school, I plan to attend Augsburg University where I will be majoring in accounting and I will be continuing my wrestling career. I am going into accounting because business has always been a passion and interest of mine. I am in a Scholars Program which is for future accountants or students who are interested in accounting and this program lets us see CPAs doing their work by visiting public firms.
Mohamud: I plan on attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a major in neuroscience. In fifth grade, I learned about neurosurgery through a television show, and ever since then, that career has fascinated me. Neuroscience is the study of an organ that detects fleeting moments of joy, controls our actions, drives our behaviors and holds our deepest thoughts. Yet, its complexity remains a mystery. Although I came to the conclusion that I didn’t want to be a neurosurgeon, (the thought of blood terrifies me,) I did know that I wanted to pursue this major. The brain and its structure pique my curiosity.
Ramos: After graduation, I’m excited to start the next phase of my life. I will be attending University of Wisconsin-Stout, majoring in criminal justice and rehabilitation and minoring in pre-law. I also plan on joining student government at Stout. I’ve always been passionate about understanding the legal system and also helping the community in all ways possible, so this path feels like a perfect fit for me. Furthermore, I’m very excited to see what life will be like at college, and I can’t wait to meet new people and explore all the opportunities that come my way.
There have been many changes in the world during your high school years. How have they affected you?
Bannister: People around my age have all been affected by COVID and the guidelines that followed. The wars overseas have shown me what some of my friends’ families are going through and gave me a different perspective. I try to soak up my time with people I cherish and to not take them for granted. I’ve learned very quickly in high school that having positive relationships is one of the most important things to living happily. I’m glad I’ve been able to share experiences with so many different people. It’s made me view people in such an endearing way and helped me realize that everyone has an impact on something, and that people truly do care.
Rojas: It was very difficult for me to make a transition from in-person to online and back to in-person learning when we were required to wear masks. We were kept away from each other and this changed my first impression of high school. But this did not stop me from doing well in academics and athletics. I am glad I still got to experience making new friends and high school experiences such as prom and my upcoming graduation.
Mohamud: Before the pandemic, I was a very social person. I knew how to strike up conversions, talk to new people and make friends easily. And I was known by the majority of the people in my grade. I ended up switching districts at the end of my eighth-grade year, which was also when the pandemic hit. I started high school online, in a new district, not knowing anybody, so I was lonely. The lack of communication had a detrimental effect on my confidence. In 10th grade, school was somewhat normal, but I hated talking. My teachers practically forced me to share my ideas because I would never do it willingly. Every time I was called on, I felt a pit in my stomach and I was so nervous that I questioned if I should even share my thoughts. I never thought I would turn out like this, but the pandemic made me lose that love and confidence I had when talking to people, and it took me a while to be myself again. If it wasn’t for the teachers, the ones who wanted me to express my ideas and saw me and my potential when I couldn’t really see myself, I would not be where I am today. Now, in my senior year, I can say that I am mostly back to the way I was before the pandemic, and although I may never be the same, I am proud of my growth.
Ramos: There have been some changes during my high school years, one of them was COVID-19. It interrupted my first two years of high school, altering my academic and social experiences. Going to school online was very challenging and also limited interactions with my teachers and peers. Socially, I missed out on crucial bonding moments and extracurricular commitments, which at some point affected my sense of belonging and social growth. Despite the setbacks, I have learned to adapt to new things and also to value the moments I share with friends and teachers.
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