by Trevor Hass
Sports Reporter
Faculty representative Erin Youngquist stood in front of hundreds of students and hundreds more parents, relatives and friends.
She congratulated the soon-to-be Elk River High School graduates and reminded them that being in that very gym is a testament to who they are as people. Youngquist told them a high school education is a stepping-stone to their future, and she encouraged them not to forget that their parents’ nagging helped them get to this moment.
Then Youngquist’s speech – which flip-flopped between sincere and silly – took a turn no one who wasn’t in on the secret saw coming.
“No celebration is complete without dancing,” she said. “I just so happen to have ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling,’ by Justin Timberlake, on my iPhone. And graduates, you better dance.”
Dance, they did. Dabbing was not only allowed; it was encouraged. Several students took advantage, and many other dance moves – from the sprinkler to the Bernie – were on full display. Friday night was a chance for the Elk River students to think about the future, but also an opportunity to remember what they’ve accomplished and have some fun in the moment.
The speeches all shared a common theme – cherish the past, but learn from the past to build the future you want.
“I think it’s very important for each one of you to develop your vision, your mission and your core values in life,” superintendent Mark Bezek said.
The event started at 7 p.m., sharp, as the girls entered dressed in red and the boys arrived donning black. Principal Terry Bizal shared upcoming developments at the high school – from a revised special education area, to fixing the roofs – in front of two packed sets of bleachers. He said $93,000 of local scholarship money was given out to 135 seniors.
Temperatures hovered in the high 80s on Friday, and many people in the upper rows fanned themselves to cope with the heat.
Bezek mentioned how, after a brief interruption in the morning, water service was restored at Elk River High later in the day. He also singled out students who are serving the country, and spectators stood to give those kids an ovation.
Bezek shared how, when he’s hiring, he looks for energy, the ability to energize, execution edge and passion.
“Passion is what every employer and coach wants to see out of each one of you,” he said.
Then Youngquist told everyone about a dream she had where she was wearing a pink, sequin, dress her “boyfriend,” Justin Timberlake, bought her. Some Elk River students were in the dream as well, and that’s how she knew the direction in which she’d take her speech.
After Youngquist finished, the concert choir – conducted by Terrell Beaudry – performed the song “For Good,” which encapsulated the night’s theme. “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”
Valedictorian Jen Koehler spoke, with some sarcasm, about how this was really just a typical Friday and that most of the seniors checked out weeks ago.
“Big moments don’t always equivocate to radical change,” Koehler said. “We change most in the little moments. … I’m confident this change eventually leads to growth.”
She said that change is worth it to discover something truly worthwhile. High school wasn’t always perfect, but Koehler knows those little moments shaped her and her classmates into the people they are today.
Class president Andrew Elmquist began his speech with some humor, saying that a well-known philosopher once said “started from the bottom, now we’re here.”
“I think his name was Drake,” Elmquist said, paralleling the growth he and his classmates have shown since freshman year to that song. Sophomore year was like the song “Chandelier,” junior year was like “Uptown Funk” and senior year was like “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” he said.
There was no second round of dancing, but the sentiment was similar. They’ve come a long way and now it’s time to celebrate. Elmquist also referenced amusement park rides, and how he and his peers are more capable of coping with dangerous rides as they mature.
Assistant principal Ken Jordan encouraged the students to stay focused and have a good attitude, among other things. School Board Director Sue Farber advised them to conquer the world.
Then the students pranced across the stage, one by one. Multiple students with special needs – clearly overjoyed by the moment – received huge ovations as they walked or were wheeled across stage.
For most students, though, everyone else settled into a soothing, rhythmic one clap. Parents and friends yelled out from the audience for people they knew, but the students clapped, one clap per person.
No one student was more important than another. They did this all together. This was a night to remember that.