The graduating seniors of Becker and Big Lake recently attended their All Night Grad Parties. After the crazy COVID-19 year the teens had last year, many were happy for an opportunity to let loose and have fun.

Big Lake 

More than 100 seniors attended Big Lake’s All Night Grad Party. The party planning committee, co-chaired by Chris Leeseburg and Cassie Schommer, was held in the Liberty Elementary School, which the committee decorated to have a board game theme. Students had the opportunity to play life-size versions of classic board games such as Monopoly and Life, as well as other activities such as bounce houses and Naz Can Racing. 

“No one anticipated that you would have two hard years of high school to navigate during a pandemic,” said Schommer, in a message for the graduating class. “We hope that all that you’ve gone through can be used as a learning experience as you enter the next chapter of your life.  We are proud of you!!  Proud of how resilient you all are.  Proud that you hung in there and finished  this chapter.” 

Schommer went on to give a big thanks to the planning committee, businesses that donated to the party, Sheriff’s office, BLPD, BLFS, the school district, and the volunteers who helped run the event. 

Donors of prizes and funds for the party included: Big Lake Spud Fest; Camping World - Monticello; ERX Motor Park; Gess What’s Cookin’; H&G Marketing; Knights of Columbus Father Joseph Linn Council #9140; Mac’s Mini’s; Olson & Son’s Electric; Woodland Work Designs; Gold Donations ($200-$499); Big Lake Lioness; BNSF Railway; City of Big Lake; Sports Clips - Elk River; The Bank of Elk River; West Metro Buick GMC; Zimmerman Fire Department; Silver Donations ($100-$199); Avalon Salon - Elk River; Bernicks; Cargill - Big Lake; Dahlheimer Beverages, LLC; Moon Motorsports; Target - Monticello; Trails Grill & Sports Bar; Alina Vizenor; Big Lake Lions Club; College of Saint; Benedict Saint John’s University; Connexus Energy; Corey Laugen Insurance Inc.; Craig Starr; Curbside Waste; Daytona Golf Club; Distinctive Window Cleaning Inc. DBA ACME Window Cleaning; Great West Mechanical, Inc.; H2Outfitters Marine and Sport Repair, Inc.; JC U Lock Rental & Sales; Monticello Printing Inc.; Northstar Technology Solutions; Powder Ridge; Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, P.A.; Rum River Hills Golf Course; Target - Otsego; Target - Rogers; The Links at Northfork; Vision of Big Lake, Inc.; Holiday Gas Station - Big Lake; McPete’s Bowling.

Becker 

Becker’s All Night Grad Party took place at River City Extreme, where students had the ability to play arcade games, bowling, pool, laser tag, corn-hole, bingo, blackjack, photo booth, and board games. They are also entertained by hypnotist Terry DaVolt. 

The event and prizes were purchased with donations from many area businesses, including: American Family Insurance – Amy Chmielewski; Angell’s Construction; B & J Evergreen; Becker Collision and Glass; Becker Lions; Becker Township; Becker True Value; Clear Lake Lions; Color Street Nails – Amanda McDonald; Country Lumber; Dr. Gruenes Family Dentist; Fantastic Sams; Firebuggz; Fulfillment Distribution Center Inc.; Food Pride; Haus Construction; Home Depot; Hubbard Electric; Joe’s Bobcat and More; Jurek Brothers Construction; Knights of Columbus – Big Lake; Knights of Columbus – Duelm; Majestic Creations; Marvel Nutrition; McDonald’s Meats; McDonald’s; McDowall Custom Embroidery; McPete’s Bowling; Monticello Legion Auxiliary; O’Reilly Auto Parts Big Lake; Peterson Companies; Pizza Depot; Becker PTSA; Rock Creek Builders; S and S Plumbing; Scheideman Chiropractic & Body Shop; Shell Gas Station; Sherburne State Bank; Subway; T. J. Potter Trucking.