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Friday’s lifting of all coronavirus-related capacity limits in Minnesota meant high school graduations could have in-person ceremonies.
A collective sigh was audible as Hills-Beaver Creek High School honored 32 seniors Friday night.
“Ahhh — it is good to be together,” said Superintendent Todd Holthaus.
Last year the H-BC Class of 2020 commencement was conducted in the school’s parking lot. The graduates and their parents sat in vehicles and drove up to the school for Holthaus and school board chairman Arlyn Gehrke to hand diplomas through open car windows.
In his address to students, parents and family members Friday night, Holthaus painted the 2020-21 school year filled with wearing face masks, social distancing, hand sanitizer, washing hands and — more importantly — perseverance.
“I am convinced that our future is going to go well as the graduates integrate into society as our next movers and shakers,” he said.
Twenty of the 32 H-BC seniors were recognized as honor and high honor students.
Valedictorian Lauren Tatge and salutatorian Allison LaRock shared the student address in which they thanked parents, school staff and the community for the roles they played in bringing the Class of 2021 to this moment.
The two top academic seniors assured audience members the time invested in them won’t be wasted.
“We will strive to show the light you kindled in us and work hard to bring that light into every situation we encounter,” LaRock said.
LaRock wrote a song, “’21,” and performed it on a portable keyboard Friday night.
As we move on to the rest of our lives
I know each and every one of you will thrive
I’ll remember our red, white and blue
And how I thank God for each and every one of you.
She started a song-writing business through the Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities program in which H-BC is one of five school partners.