When the COVID-19 pandemic first began sweeping the country, Brianna Jones said she never thought she would be able to celebrate her graduation day. But four years later, draped in a robe of blue and gold, the Le Sueur-Henderson graduating senior was proud to stand before her fellow classmates and say, "We have finally made it."
On Wednesday, May 22, Jones delivered the senior welcome to the 74 Le Sueur-Henderson students who made up the 2024 graduating class. She reflected on the many challenges she and her classmates had overcome to make it to this point, and reminisced on some of her favorite memories from the past 13 years.
"We’ve faced many obstacles together but overcome those obstacles individually and together as a class," said Jones. "It feels as if just yesterday we were learning the alphabet and now we’re sitting in these chairs about to face one of the greatest accomplishments of our lives.”
The celebration of the Class of 2024's accomplishments continued with the Le Sueur-Henderson band's performance of "Tuscola Mountain Celebration," by Paul Murtha. Principal Cynthia Schmidt then took the stage to introduce the next student speaker, Rita Flores.
Like Jones, the graduating senior said she never thought this day would come. Now that the day has finally arrived, Flores had some words of advice for her classmates as they made the transition into adulthood: challenge yourself, make the journey fun and be grateful for what your parents have done for you.
"If it weren’t for our parents, we would not have been able to experience and cherish these memories. They taught us how to laugh, how to smile, how to pick ourselves up when we feel down," said Flores. "But most importantly they taught us how to love. Our parents were our first role models."
"For me, my mom has been and always will be my biggest role model," she continued. "She taught me how to stay strong when times get tough. She has given me the space and time to learn from my mistakes, but was still there when I needed her most. She has inspired me to be the greatest possible version of myself."
While the graduating class has learned a lot from the adults in their lives — be it parents, guardians, teachers or coaches — commencement speaker and LS-H Social Studies teacher Kyle O'Brien, highlighted the things he's learned from his students. O'Brien noted that he began teaching the class of 2024 when they were sophomores and he was just a first year teacher. But when that first year of teaching got tough, he knew he could count on his students.
By watching the effort they put into their classes and extracurriculars, O'Brien said the class showed him how to be dedicated. Through observing the ways they lifted each other up, he learned how easy it can be to brighten the day of those around you. The class also taught him the value of showing and giving grace.
“As a first year teacher, there were days that did not go as planned. Days where I was not sure what I was doing or if I was doing it right. But I always knew that I could count on you to roll with the punches," said O'Brien. "I could fall back on knowing that I wasn’t going to be judged and you would all come to class the next day and try whatever it was I had planned.”
As he bid farewell to the class of 2024, the teacher gave his students one last assignment.
“Your assignment is to go out into the world and teach everyone who crosses your path those same lessons that you taught me," said O'Brien. "Continue to be dedicated and passionate, continue to be kind and continue to show grace to those around you.”
Following O'Brien's address, the senior class choir performed an arrangement of "Stand By Me." Kyline Solomon then took the stage to deliver the 2024 class poem, her own original work titled "Strive to do Better." The poem reflected on her classmates' collective journey from elementary school to graduation day and encouraged the graduates to "go chase your dreams and strive to do better."
After the reading, the graduates stood up for the moment they had all been waiting for. In a single file line, the seniors walked across the stage to accept the diploma they spent their whole lives working towards. They crossed to the other side of the stage, now high school graduates.
Daniella Anchando delivered the farewell address, congratulating her classmates and reflecting on the journey that lies ahead.
“Throughout high school, we’ve all been nervous whether for a test you never want to study for, maybe a first date, but nothing compares to the nervousness of not knowing what happens after this," said Anchando. "I wish everyone the best. And whether you’re going to college to continue your education, the military to serve your country or the union to work, there is one thing we all have in common. Whether you went to park or St. Anne’s you all graduated as a Giant. “
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