Becker High School held their 2022 graduation service on the grassy field of Eppard Stadium last Friday under sunny skies.

To kick things off, the fanfare & processional was  spotlighted by the Minnesota Orchestra’s version of Pomp and Circumstance. That was followed by the presentation of Colors by the Becker American Legion under the music umbrella of the Star Spangled Banner.

Principal Dave Kreft took the stage and welcomed the visitors and families and then turned the microphone over to two outstanding students and one faculty member to give encouraging speeches to the graduates. The students were Austyn Clemen and Maxwell Hubbard and the faculty speaker was Gretchen Bordson.

Assistant Supt. Minda Anderson next gave recognition to the nearly 70 honor graduates. Student Taylor Storlien acknowledged this year’s hall-of-famers which included Fran Seeley (Class of 1969) and Tom Hammer (Class of 1972).

Supt. Jeremy Schmidt and School Board Chairman Mark Swanson then presented the diplomas to the graduates as they stepped aboard the stage. Schmidt had previously made an official presentation and acceptance of the graduates just before the diploma handout. The graduate names were read by Melissa Nicolas and Dustin Weege.

The Senior Graduation Committee (Cara Condon, Lisa Kronenberg, Emma Lemperes, Imogen Mohler, Katelyn Nielsen, Alyssa Oelmann, Brooke Peterson, Zachary Stanger, Taylor Storlien and Nash Super) inaugurated the tassel ceremony before the grads hurled their mortar boards to the heavenly skies while the school song was played.

The Class of 2022’s motto is: If you can’t fly then RUN; If you can’t run then WALK; If you can’t walk then CRAWL. But whatever you do, you have to KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

— Martin Luther King, Jr.