Last Friday’s commencement program for the 2019 Becker High School graduates was a treat for the 214 students and their families. The students were celebrated for their achievements throughout their four-year tenure with music, speeches and song.

 

Friday evening’s festivities kicked off in fine fashion with the local American Legion presenting the colors and the Star Spangled Banner sang by senior Emma Tweten.

 

Principal Rick Toso gave a short welcome speech, then presented Supt. Stephen Malone, who commended the graduates and greeted family and friends.

 

“Graduating seniors, best wishes and congratulations to each of you from your Becker School District family,” he said.  “I hope that you find happiness and success in the years ahead.” 

 

Friday’s ceremony lasted a little over an hour with grads and family members gathering outside the building following the event to pose for photographs and shake hands.

 

With the departure of the color guard, Toso announced he wanted to recognize  two seniors who have chosen to enter the U.S. Marine Corps after graduation. Jack Sigvertson and MaKoy Hawkinson stood wearing red, white and blue cords. Toso then wanted to acknowledge all active and veteran military personnel and had them rise from their seats for an ovation.

 

Members of the school’s chamber and bella voice choirs — under the direction of Gretchen Bordson — performed “I Hope You Dance.” The seniors chose this song because the words inspired them and gave them hope for their future.  They chose it also because they believe the words will connect with the parents and families.

 

Toso mentioned BHS’s choirs performed three concerts this year along with an amazing two-performance Spring Choir Show. Senior Emma Tweten was selected to the Minnesota All State Choir for this year, and Cole Cook was selected into All State Choir for the 2019-2020 school year.   Twelve singers were selected as members of the Granite Ridge Honor Choir, about 75 members participated in solo and ensemble contest and many earned superior ratings. 

 

Toso also mentioned the junior and senior choir members traveled to New York City earlier this spring, which was a definite highlight of their year.  The 54 graduating members of this year’s choir provided a legacy of modeling leadership, hard work, enthusiasm, teamwork, fun memories, and will be missed.

 

As in most years in the past, a student is chosen to do a speech to their fellow classmates. This year, three seniors were chosen to speak and they included Megan Nelson, Amber Vogl and Hannah Bengtson.

 

Nelson is the daughter of Wendy and Greg Nelson. She is a 4.0 student and has participated in numerous school sports and activities at BHS, and is actively involved in her youth group. Her future plans include attending the University of Minnesota Duluth and majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders with an end goal of becoming an elementary school Speech Language Pathologist. Her speech was entitled, “United to Make a Difference.”

 

Vogl is the  daughter of Dale and Jennifer Vogl, Amber is a 4.0 student and has been involved in many school sports and activities and is active in her church youth group. She plans on attending the University of Minnesota Duluth and majoring in Education to become a middle and high school Math teacher. Her speech was entitled “It’s Yours for the Taking”.

 

Bengtson is the daughter of Hokan and Dawn Bengtson. She is a 3.98 student and is actively involved in school sports and activities and her church community. Her future plans include attending Bethel University to pursue Nursing. Her speech was entitled “Perspective.”

 

Toso said the school’s senior band members traditionally choose a favorite song to play at graduation that they performed at some time during their high school years.  This year they chose the theme song from the movie Silverado to do for their final high school performance together. Toso said it has an appropriately celebratory sound and was a challenging piece that they performed for this year’s Pops Concert.

 

Principal Toso said the band program performs three formal concerts per year along with Homecoming, Veteran's Day, Pep Band, Pep Fests, Memorial Day and a joint Holiday Concert with Ms. Bordson’s choir program.

 

Some notable accomplishments this year include earning three superior ratings at the Large Group Contest for Wind Ensemble, and three excellent ratings for concert band.

 

Jean Duffy,  assistant superintendent and director of teaching and learning was chosen to give the faculty speech. She introduced BHS’s honor students including the 34 who achieved highest honors. 

 

“The 34, 2019 scholars, graduating with high honors, are denoted in your program with a hashtag symbol in front of their names,” she announced. “They are also wearing gold cords this evening.”

 

“These high honor graduates have all earned 4.0 grade point averages. Their dedication to academic excellence has helped Becker High School strive to maintain a tradition of academic excellence,” Duffy said. 

 

Graduates Jordan Gruenes and Megan Nelson had the distinct honor of calling on two alumni who were being awarded hall-of-fame status with the school. Phil Knutson, a 1987 alum and Susan Peterson, a class of 1964 alum, were invited to the podium to give short speeches and inspire the students.

 

Jodi Schleif, Susan’s daughter, accepted the honor on behalf of her mother.

 

Toso returned to the podium and announced he wanted to call to people’s attention a new alumni-driven group that has recently been formed — the Becker Education Foundation.

 

“A group of recent alumni, parents and community members has created a foundation with a mission to cultivate the educational experience of all students within the Becker School District through the connection of our alumni and the support of our community, families, and businesses,” he said. 

 

Toso concluded his time at the podium with a short speech in which he said it was “very rewarding to serve as your principal.”

 

“You have been an exemplary class in many ways,” he continued. “You were challenged at the beginning of the year to step up to provide the positive senior leadership we would need to carry on a tradition of excellence at Becker High School, and to model three simple but all-encompassing beliefs: Work hard, be nice, make good decisions. You have accomplished that, with excellence!”

 

Toso then invited Malone and Becker School Board Chairman, Aaron Jurek to the front of the stage to present the diplomas. Following that initiative, the tassels on the caps were flipped to the side and caps flung into the depths of the gymnasium ceiling.