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A DAY TO REMEMBER — Aracelis Sepulveda sits in her vehicle during NRHEG Commencement Sunday, May 31. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
It wasn’t a typical graduation ceremony.
But this isn’t a typical year.
Fifty-five NRHEG High School seniors officially graduated Sunday, May 31, though certainly not the way they expected.
Instead of the usual ceremony in the gymnasium where students walk across the stage to receive their diploma, graduates and guests remained in their motor vehicles — parked about 8 feet apart — as the commencement was moved to the grassy area west of the school in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Police were present at both entrances and most of those helping with the festivities wore facemasks. A large stage was set up on a flatbed trailer, flanked by two semi trailers, with a big screen above the stage.
No outside visitors were allowed, though a few watched from neighboring yards. At the conclusion, a fireworks display replaced the tradition of gathering in the street for congratulations and photos.
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With the uncertainty of community gatherings in view of present Covid-19 guidelines, the Steele County Historical Society has chosen to move two mid-summer activities into September. The 6th annual Gus’ Station Car Show and Fundraiser will be Saturday, Sept. 19 with car registration at 8 a.m. and show running from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
The SCHS Extravaganza, a day of music, food, old time demonstrations, and a Rendezvous encampment, will be Sunday, Sep. 20, running from noon to 4 p.m. Both of these events serve as festive community activities as well as fundraisers for the Historical Society. Please mark your calendars.
For questions or information, contact the Society at 507-4541-1420 or event coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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From the graduating class of 2020, I would like to say thank you to the NRHEG community for its kindness and empathy during this unusual year.
Our class was not able to experience its prom, class trip, senior service day, awards day, last-day celebrations and graduation ceremony in the way we expected to, and that has been difficult.
Along with that though, we have received an outpouring of support and empathy from the community, which has been heartwarming and uplifting. We were surprised by caravans of well-wishers who brought us custom-made yard signs; we have been approached by friends and neighbors who have expressed their good wishes; the American Legion, the NRHEG Parent-Teacher Organization, and the school staff have all donated money to support special events.
In other words, although we have not gotten what we expected, we have also gotten more than we could have ever hoped for. Thank you, NRHEG community, for your love, support, and empathy.
Maggie Maloney, 2020 NRHEG Senior Class President
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By ELI LUTGENS
Editor
The 2019-20 NRHEG graduation will not be a typical one. This year has been incredibly challenging. The class of 2020 will not soon forget the extraordinary circumstances surrounding their graduation.
A total of 55 seniors will graduate from NRHEG High School, Sunday, May 31.
The plan for Sunday is a unique one: a drive-in graduation. The ceremony will be held outdoors, beginning at 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, where 55 seniors will be graduating from NRHEG. The location will be the practice area between the school and the football field. This will allow seniors and their families to drive in and park. A flatbed trailer will serve as the stage, with the projection screens to the left and right of the parking area. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in the school parking lot and Ash Ave.
No one but the graduates and their families will be admitted, in one car each. No one, including the seniors themselves, will be permitted to leave their cars, except for the speakers, who will speak and then return to their vehicles.
“We’d like to open it up for everyone,” Bunn said, “but we can’t.”
Board vice-chair Travis Routh asked if any schools are considering holding their commencement ceremony on the football field.
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By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Staff Writer
Holly Stene, the daughter of Paul and Laura Stene, is the 2020 salutatorian at NRHEG High School.
“I kind of expected to become Salutatorian,” says Stene, “because ever since ninth grade, many kids in my class kept track of who was where in terms of class rank.” Stene says she wasn't exactly working to become Salutatorian. “I was working more towards getting the best grades that I possibly could, and becoming Salutatorian kind of just came with that.”
Stene is methodical with study habits. “When I sit down to work on assignments, I make a list of everything that I need to work on,” says Stene. “Then I start working on finishing the things on my list. I usually finish the stuff that I can get done right away first, so I have less of a distraction when I am trying to work on bigger assignments.
“During the stay-at-home order, my school schedule really didn’t change much,” Stene continued. “Most of my classes are online college classes, so they did not change. The two classes that I did have at the high school were converted to online classes, but the transition was relatively smooth. I have actually been able to complete all of my weekly classes much quicker than I did before.”