BEMIDJI-Nearly 500 students are set to graduate from Bemidji-area high schools this week and next.
Red Lake High حلحلآ» scored a commencement speech from Anne McKeig, the first American Indian to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court. Relatively small high schools such as Blackduck, Laporte and Kelliher will crowd their gyms for speeches from valedictorians or peer-selected students before a diploma ceremony. Bemidji Area حلحلآ»s boasts the largest graduating class in the area-about 300 students will hear from district leaders and some student volunteers before crossing the stage at the Sanford Center to formally earn their diplomas.
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Here's a brief summary of each Bemidji-area graduation ceremony, organized by date:
TrekNorth High حلحلآ»
6 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Bemidji State University's Hagg-Sauer Hall, Room 100. Don King, a recent Northwest Technical College graduate and U.S. Air Force veteran will deliver a welcome address to a class of 30 graduating seniors. Students at the charter school selected three graduating seniors to speak, as well: Maggie Greenleaf, Lori Martin and Tyrisah Smith. The Bemidji Brass Quintet is also set to play then.
Laporte High حلحلآ»
7 p.m. Friday, May 25, in the Laporte High حلحلآ» gymnasium, 315 Main St. W, Laporte. Valedictorian Richard Lahr is schedule to speak, along with others. Thirteen students are set to graduate from the high school this year, staff there said.
Bemidji High حلحلآ»
10 a.m. Saturday, May 26, at the Sanford Center. Scheduled speakers are Superintendent Jim Hess, BHS Principal Brian Stefanich, and two students: Mitchell Shaw and Abigail Lauderbaugh. About 300 students are set to graduate, high school staff said. The ceremony will also include students from Lumberjack High حلحلآ», Bemidji BYLaW, and the Alternative Education Center.
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Kelliher Public حلحلآ»
2 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at the Kelliher Public حلحلآ» gym, 345 4th St. NW, Kelliher. Valedictorian Clyde Jensen and Salutatorian Mary Waldo are scheduled to speak in front of 14 other graduating seniors.
Voyageurs Expeditionary حلحلآ»
6 p.m. Friday, June 1, at Bemidji State University's Hagg-Sauer Hall, Room 100. Three speakers are scheduled: Peyton Dean, a student who volunteered to do so; Director Scott Anderson; and one more staff member. The Bemidji-area charter school is set to graduate eight students this year.
Cass Lake-Bena High حلحلآ»
7 p.m. Friday, June 1, at the Cass Lake-Bena Secondary gym, Cass Lake. Valedictorian Damon Stangel and Salutatorian Cierra Wittner are scheduled to speak, and staff have planned a commemorative slide show. CL-B high school is set to graduate 34 students, and the school district's Alternative Learning Center and Adult Basic Education schools are set to graduate another 30-34 students, district staff said.
Blackduck High حلحلآ»
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7 p.m. Friday, June 1, at the Blackduck Public حلحلآ» gym, 156 1st St. NW, Blackduck. Valedictorian Cade Haiby and Salutatorian Ashlynne Nattrass are scheduled to speak. Kayla Hentges, another graduating senior and class president, is set to deliver a welcome address. Blackduck High حلحلآ» will graduate 35 seniors this year, staff said.
Red Lake High حلحلآ»
1 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Red Lake Secondary Complex gym. Justice Anne McKeig, the first American Indian to be appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court, is scheduled to speak, plus two honors students at the school: Kiersten Iceman and Alysha Beaulieu. Staff will also release balloons after the ceremony to symbolize students' hopes and dreams. حلحلآ» staff expect to graduate about 38 students this year, they said.
