Students wore sneakers, high heels, dress shoes and sandals. Some decorated their caps with inspirational quotes, flowers or butterflies. When they went across the stage to pick up their diploma, some waved, took selfies or tried to hide their face from the scores of cameras. Many took a few seconds to dance. Benjamin Stark of Armstrong did a backflip. Hundreds of students graduated June 3 from Robbinsdale Area Schools. The district had three ceremonies for Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, Robbinsdale Virtual Academy and Robbinsdale Cooper High School. Robbinsdale Highview students walked with their “home” school of Armstrong or Cooper.
There were many words of encouragement spoken to the graduates.
Interim Superintendent Marti Voight reflected on how each student is unique.
“Each of you is a masterpiece in the making, a one-of-a-kind creation with talents, skills and dreams that are all yours,” Voight said. “... The world needs each of you. In your extraordinary uniqueness, everything you have to offer, there’s something in this life that only you can do. And I know you’re getting ready to do it.”
Voight concluded her speech by asking the students to “carve out moments of stillness and peace.”
“Do what it takes to fill your cup with joy and rejuvenate your spirit,” Voight said. “Surround yourself with the people who lift you up, with the people who inspire you and who remind you of how amazing each of you are.“
Favorite teachers were invited to speak. Armstrong’s Ryan O’Connor asked graduates to “give unsolicited, unearned kindness to those you encounter.” Cooper’s Claire Mielke told the class, “You’ve grown more than you realize.”
The students shared words as well, many thanking their parents and reflecting on their accomplishments. This class started their high school experience in a virtual world during the pandemic. Most of them – save the Robbinsdale Virtual Academy – switched to fully in-person during their sophomore year.
Anthony Robinson, 2024 graduate of Robbinsdale Virtual Academy, encouraged people to “carve out a different path.”
“It’s easy to follow the well-trodden road laid out before us. Go to college. Get a job. Start a family. Be successful with a high-paying job. But true greatness lies in daring to be different,” Robinson said. “Each one of us has unique talents, passions and dreams awaiting to be unleashed upon the world. I urge you not to conform to society’s expectations or settle for mediocracy. Instead, dare to dream big. Think outside the box. Blow up the box.”
“The only limits are the ones we set,” Cooper grad Kéira Snapko said. “However, our limits do not define us. We choose who we want to be.”
Student Council President of Cooper Darien Muhen asked graduates to “go out into the world and do you.”
The ceremonies were recorded and can be watched in full.
Watch the Robbinsdale Armstrong High School commencement at bit.ly/armstrong2024.
Watch the Robbinsdale Virtual Academy commencement at bit.ly/virtualacademy2024.
Watch the Robbinsdale Cooper High School commencement at bit.ly/cooper2024.
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