Becker High School bid farewell to the Class of 2017 last Friday with the 99th annual commencement in the gymnasium of BHS. The class chose a quote from Harry Potter to exemplify who they are and it goes like this: “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

 

These students made the choice to study, work hard and give their maximum efforts throughout their four-year high school years. Friday’s celebration reflected that.

 

Music Director Craig Vogl had his wind ensemble kick off the evening with Fanfare and Processional while the graduates entered the gym among their senior class advisors and found their chairs. The look of joy, anxiety and pride was evident amongst the students who have the whole world ahead of them.

 

The Becker American Legion followed the procession with one of their own as local soldier Dan Westby led the Color Guard up the aisle to the front to present the flags. Graduate Emily Krogstad was called upon to sing the Star Spangled Banner while guests covered their hearts and Legion members and veterans saluted the Red, White and Blue.

 

Principal Sandy Logrono gave a quick welcome to all in attendance as well as Supt. Dr. Stephen Malone. The wind ensemble again performed under the direction of Vogl a music piece called, Mount Everest.

 

Logrono spoke of the process of naming a senior class spokesperson and Kassidy Severson was called to the stage to present her heartfelt speech in an eloquent and articulate fashion.

The class also chose Teacher  Melissa Nicolas to be the faculty speaker and her emotional tribute brought reflection, contemplation and even a few laughs.

 

Choir Director Gretchen Bordson then gathered her seniors to the left of the stage for a rousing rendition of, At The Beginning/Go The Distance.

 

Seniors Sierra Hietala, Gabrielle Proefrock and Allyna Storms from the graduation committee volunteered to introduce this year’s graduate hall-of-fame awards. The HOF-ers were Mark Hamilton (Class of 1996), Virginia Johnson (1949) and Bryan Olson (1974).

 

Hamilton was unable to attend Friday’s ceremonies so he sent his brother to speak on his behalf. Johnson and Olson also gave short speeches and encouraged this year’s graduates to be something special in the world.

 

Now came the time for Logrono to invite School Board Chairman Aaron Jurek and Malone to the podium to hand out diplomas to the 213 seniors “who are great students and wonderful, caring individuals,” Logrono said. The graduate names were read by Ben Pany and Luke Salzar.

 

Moments after the last graduate was handed their diploma, Logrono asked class co-presidents, Kami Ziebarth and Ryan Sommerdorf to say a few words and then they asked the seniors to move their tassels from one side of their mortar boards to the other. At that point, the seniors were exclaimed as graduates and they tossed their caps high into the gymnasium ceiling.

 

The senior graduation committee consisted of Hietala, Sommerdorf, Ziebarth, Storms, Proefrock, Lauren Marklowitz and Faith Zinken.