By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
They stood together for the final time.
One by one, they walked out into the world.
The 57 members of the NRHEG class of 2024 graduated Sunday afternoon in a packed high school gymnasium in New Richland.
Principal Grant Berg got the show rolling as he lightheartedly welcomed and thanked NRHEG board members, faculty, staff, parents, guardians, and all those who made graduation possible.
Berg said he wanted to keep the introduction short and sweet, and he did.
Berg introduced the NRHEG band, which played the traditional “last song together,” a composition played sometime during the seniors’ career, and one they selected as a favorite. This year’s choice was “Glorious” by composer Masa Fukada.
Class speakers Brenna Sommer, Jaylin Raab and Hallie Schultz, elected by their peers, addressed the group’s shared experiences in elementary grades, secondary school, and looking toward the future.
“Since that first day of kindergarten, through middle school, and even high school, we have had students move away, new students join us, and our class has adapted and developed in several ways,” Sommer said. “One of the things I love most about being a part of this class is how close we are and how many memories we will be taking with us as we part ways.
“We learned about kindness, compassion, empathy, forgiveness, and responsibility among many others,” Sommer continued. “We were given the foundation to grow in who we are and who we could be. We gained support systems and relationships that will last a lifetime and carry us through any circumstance. So yes, the NRHEG elementary school provided us with the necessities to be successful in middle school and high school, and even beyond that. But the most important things it gave us were the friendships and memories we will cherish for the rest of our lives.”
Raab was the second speaker and talked about his personal transition to NRHEG from a large school during his eighth-grade year. He talked about the present, ‘today.’
“As you all may know, today is the day we graduate,” Raab said. “It's a day full of tears and joy as we walk across the stage and accomplish one of the biggest goals in life.
“This year has been filled with so many ups and downs and went by pretty fast,” he continued. “In junior high we all thought graduation was so far away, but here it is… We learned to grow connections with the staff at NRHEG, who followed us and watched us grow throughout all these years. And now we sit here as seniors, or as I should say, twelfth-graders. We really did it, guys.”
Raab talked about the difficult passing of classmate Samuel Houle.
“He (Samuel) brought smiles to our faces and was a very kind kid who always wanted to play chess. He was never shy and would always be the first one to raise his hand when the teacher asked a question, or would always volunteer to take the attendance list to Teri when there was a sub. He loved giving high fives to everyone he saw and always had a smile. Sam will never be forgotten. He taught us to always be the light in someone else's life because he brought so much light to those in our school. One thing to remember is never take things for granted; we don't know what tomorrow will bring.”
The final class speaker was Hallie Schultz.
“Throughout our time at NRHEG we all have found what we love and are good at,” Schultz said. “We often take for granted what we have. We take for granted the town we live in, the teachers who put countless hours into our education, and the people we have grown up with for the last 18 years.”
Schultz, too, had words to remember Samuel Houle.
“We are also sad that one classmate couldn’t be here with us today, Samuel. We learned how precious the time we have with one another is. He taught us how much light can be brought to this world from one soul. We truly do not know what we have until it’s gone.”
Schultz, who intends to become an architect, said the Architect of our lives has a plan for us all.
“Different decisions or choices we make build our story,” she concluded. “I would like to say thank you to my classmates for the last 13 years. I wouldn’t want to grow up or experience life up to this point with anyone else.
“I know many teachers can attest to this statement. The Class of 2024 is the best class to come from NRHEG. I love you all and for the final time of our high school career, Go Panthers!”
The band followed the student speakers with a rendition of “How to Train Your Dragon,” arranged by Sean O’Loughlin.
Tayler Schmidt and Daxter Lee led the parent appreciation statement, after which graduates came down off the stage and delivered flowers to the parent figures in their lives.
A rose and letter were then delivered to the family of Samuel Houle.
Following the parent appreciation, a compilation of videos and photos from the class of ‘24 was shared.
Berg introduced co-salutatorians Erin Peterson and McKenzie Mueller, each of whom had earned a grade point average of 3.99. Three co-valedictorians, Payton Bunn, Hallie Schultz and Brenna Summer, had all earned a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Short biographies of all five of these honored students appear in this week’s Star Eagle.
School board members Rich Mueller and Rick Schultz, alongside superintendent Michael Meihak, presented diplomas to the graduates.
When finished, Berg told graduates, "It's time,” and asked the graduates to stand and move the tassels on their caps.
“You are now officially graduated,” said Berg. “I want to congratulate all of the graduates and thank everyone for their attendance. I wish you all the best.”