School’s out for the Class of 2022

SCHS graduates 75 students

While Sauk Centre High School’s Class of 2022 was no stranger to major and often unexpected life changes, the students who graduated May 27 certainly felt the weight of the moment as they entered a new phase of their lives.

Out of the 75 students, eight graduated with honors and 28 graduated with high honors.

As the graduates made their way to the stage of the Margaret Shelby Theatre, the senior high band played the fanfare and processional, the senior choir members singing “Star Spangled Banner” once the entrance had concluded. SCHS principal Sheila Flatau welcomed the audience to the event and congratulated the Class of 2022 for their achievement – a class which included Flatau’s daughter, Aysia Flatau.

The event featured three class representative speakers, the first of whom was Ja’Lin Tegels, reviewing the obstacles the class overcame to get to graduation and the memories they made.

“Outside of school, we might not talk to each other every day, but there is no doubt in my mind that we are all there for each other any time of the day or in any situation,” Tegels said. “I’ve seen some of you five days a week since kindergarten, and some of you I might not have known as long, but I’m glad I do.”

After Tegels’ senior slide presentation, class representative Keyleisha Frank gave her brief speech on her high school experience.

“Isn’t it funny how, day by day, nothing changes, but when we look back, everything is completely different?” Frank said. “Even as students or friends, we have made a lot of memories.”

The senior choir members then sang “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, which was followed by the faculty response speech by SCHS counselor Heather Thiesen. She wished the graduating class more ups than downs in life and encouraged them to stop overthinking and have a positive life outlook.

“I’d like to say life won’t be scary, won’t be rough, won’t be difficult, but there will be times that your journey will be all of these, but just because it’s scary doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it,” Thiesen said. “Be brave, be courageous; remember, you still will be learning, and if no one else has told you yet tonight, the a-ha moment of learning is a lifetime process.”

Class representative Ellen Kerfeld gave the last speech of the evening.

“I’d like to leave you with this: Our teachers and staff at SCHS are so proud of us, and you should be proud too,” Kerfeld said. “They want the best for us all. This love and support we’ve been shown in the last four years was unconditional, and trust me, they’re just as excited to see our futures unfold as we are.”

Diplomas were presented by interim superintendent Barry Olson, secondary assistant principal Lucas Kosters and Sauk Centre Public Schools board chairman Brad Kirckof. A reception was held in the school’s multipurpose room after the ceremony.