Lonsdale Area Graduation 2024

Lucas Allison Parents: Anthony & Ashley Allison

Camryn Benson

Cassi & Nathon Benson

Gavin Blaschko Parents: Aaron & Jenny Blaschko Future plans: Attending South Central College-North Mankato to major in Agribusiness

Mason Dietz

Hiovani Castro Parents: Hiovani Sr. & Sheina Castro Future plans: Planning on continuing in school

Travis Doerfler Parent: Shannon Johnston Future plans: Enlisting in the Army National Guard

Carolina Figueroa

Brynn Fitterer

Jackson Flicek

Harrison Factor

Connor Flintrop

Chris & Tracy Flintrop

Lexi Factor

Mike & Nikki Factor

plans: Attending University

Wisconsin-La Crosse

Elizabeth Flores Parents: Alejandra Figueroa & Rolando Flores

Emerson Fashant Parent: Natalie Fashant Future plans: Attending St. Cloud State University for Accounting

Morgan Fredrickson Parents: Josh & Angie Fredrickson

plans: Attending University of Wisconsin-Madison to major in Biology

Halee Gargett

Parent: Cassi Gargett

Future plans: Attending Alexandria

Technical & Community College to major in Interior Design

Austin Holicky

Parents: Jason & Tonya Holicky

Future plans: Planning on working after high school

Tristan Hunt

Parents: Darian & Hayley Hunt

Future plans: Attending Central Lakes College to major in Heavy Equipment Operations

Bounmy Lanoi

Parents: Khounmy Lanoi and Peace

Lanoi

Future plans: Attending

Normandale Community College to major in Aviation

Mariana Garza

Parents: Jessica & Jesus Garza

Future plans: Planning on working after high school

Katelyn Holicky

Parents: Beth & Dean Holicky

Future plans: Attending Iowa State University to major in Mechanical Engineering

Owen Jelinek Parent: Matthew Jelinek

Paige Larson Parents: Teri & Jim Drewitz

Future plans: Attending University of Wisconsin-Stout to major in Game Design Art/Development

Evan Gaul

Parents: Stephanie & Ted Gaul

Future plans: Attending University of Wisconsin-Madison to major in Computer Science

Lucas Holicky

Parents: Kevin & Shannon Holicky

Future plans: Attending the University of Minnesota to major in Finance

Treyton Kraft

Parents: Jodee & Shane Kraft Future plans: Undecided

Tait Lawson

Parents: Chad & Jill Lawson

Future plans: Planning on working after high school

Morgan Gjerstad

Parents: Doug & Karen Gjerstad

Future plans: Attending St. Catherine’s University to major in Sonography

Noah Holicky

Parents: Matt & Megan Holicky Future plans: Attending Winona State University to major in Composite Material Engineering

Kalyn Krautkremer

Parents: Matthew & Denise Krautkremer

Future plans: Attending University of Minnesota-Duluth to major in Business Management

Leny Lopez-Boteo

Parent: Lesvia Soma

Future plans: Planning on working after high school

Parker Hanson

Parent: Lisa Hanson

Future plans: Attending Minnesota State University, Mankato to major in Biology

Ethan Huber

Parents: Missy & Jon Sirek and Troy Huber & Ann

Future plans: Planning on working after high school

Maxwell Krautkremer

Parents: John & Erin Krautkremer

Future plans: Attending Minnesota State University, Mankato to major in Civil Engineering

Austin Lorinser

Parents: Jessica Sayacheck, Andrew Lorinser

Future plans: Attending University of Minnesota-Duluth to major in Marketing and Sales

Parents:

Future plans: Attending Alexandria Technical & Community College to major in Fish & Game Warden

Parents:

Future plans: Attending Dakota County Technical College to major as Dental Assistant

Parents:

Future

Tyler Heuer

Travis & Nancy Heuer

Blake Kuball Parents: Vance Kuball, Gina Fladhammer Future plans: Attending Minnesota West Community & Technical College to major in Powerline

MarLinda Huffins

Marthanna Rice, Claymore Williams

Kaden Malecha

Meghann & Kevin Malecha

plans: Attending St. John’s University to major in Accounting

Lily Martin

Parents: Jennifer Jakes & Richard Martin

Future plans: Attending Minnesota State University, Mankato

Parents: Luis Montes De Oca & Laura Correa

Future plans: Planning on continuing in school with a major in Criminology and minor in Psychology

Arson Nhean

Parents: Sokha Kul-Nhean & Samenth Nhean

Future plans: Attending Minnesota North College-Itasca to major in Automotive Mechanics

Mallorie Plut

Parents: Pete & Steph Plut

Future plans: Attending Winona State University to major in Health Administration

Bella Matchinski

Parents: Penny & James Matchinski

Future plans: Planning to take a gap year to work but then continuing school

Joel Moreno

Parents: Yvette Ortiz, Ken Napper Future plans: Undecided

Jaydan Novotny

Parents: Jared & Jeana Novotny

Future plans: Attending South Central College-North Mankato to major in Automotive Service

Amanda Prigge

Parents: Chad & Laura Prigge

Future plans: Attending University of Minnesota-Rochester to major in Echocardiography

Xiani Medina

Parent: Josie Medina

Future plans: Attending the College of St. Benedict’s to major in Psychology

Joseph Mueller

Parent: Josh Mueller

Future plans: Attending South Central College to major in Welding

Mason Novotny

Parents: Mark Novotny & Krystal Hamele

Future plans: Planning on working after high school

Devin Puls

Parents: Jen & Eric Puls Future plans: Undecided

Molly Michels

Parents: Lisa & Larry Michels

Future plans: Attending Bethany Lutheran College to major in Psychology

Parent: Brenda Padron

Future plans: Planning on working after high school

Kellen O’Keefe

Parents: Brad & Brooks O’Keefe

Future plans: Attending St. John’s University to major in Finance

Erika Quiroz

Parents: Maria & Juan Quiroz

Future plans: Attending the University of Minnesota to major in Dental Hygiene

Aidan Miland

Parents: Jarred & Mary Miland

Future plans: Attending Concordia College to major in Music Performance

Parent: Brenda Padron

Future plans: Planning on working after high school

Natalie Phelps

Parents: Ryan and Diane Phelps, Amy Phelps

Future plans: Planning on working after high school

Risto

Parents: Eric & Sara Risto

Future plans: Attending South Central College-North Mankato to major in HVAC

Alejandra Montes De Oca Correa

Adriana Murillo

Andrea Murillo

Trae

Gavyn Miller Parent: Cathleen Miller

Connor Piispanen

Parents: Janelle Phillips, Gerry Piispanen

Future plans: Planning on working after high school

Liliana Murphy Parents: Andy & Jen Murphy

Future plans: Attending the College of St. Scholastica to major in Nursing

Goi Ruei

Parents: Pal Ruei & Nyayoka Deng Future plans: Attending St. Mary’s University to major in Biology

Chase Ruthford

Parents: Carianna Chaney

Isaac Schroeder

Parents: Eric & Lisa Schroeder

Future plans: Attending the University of Minnesota to major in Liberal Arts

Becca Sladek

Parents: Kim & Brad Sladek

Future plans: Attending Winona State University to major in Criminal Justice

Anastasia Stasney

Parents: Dean & Cathy Stasney

Future plans: Attending Minnesota State University, Mankato to major in Accounting

Noah Rynda

Parents: Francis & Theresa Rynda

Future plans: Attending South Central College - North Mankato to major in Agriculture

Ryan Schroeder

Parents: Maxine & Jesse Schroeder

Future plans: Attending Iowa State University to major in Mechanical Engineering

Emily Smisek

Parents: Jennifer & Scott Smisek

Future plans: Attending Winona State University to major in Nursing or Radiology

Connor Steele

Parents: Adam & Kelly Steele

Future plans: Attending Rochester School of Medicine to major as X-ray tech

Elizabeth Sagataw

Parent: Cindy Sagataw

Future plans: Attending Normandale Community College to major in Nursing

Adison Schroer

Parents: Jaime & Andrew Harmon

Future plans: Attending North Central University to major in Psychology or Sports Medicine

Sophia Smith

Parents: Adam & Krista Smith

Future plans: Attending Minnesota State University, Mankato to major in Nursing

Calley Stephens

Parents: Jesse & Jenney Stephens

Future plans: Attending South Central College-North Mankato to major in Nursing

Olivia Sawatzky

Parents: Grace & Paul Sawatzky

Future plans: Attending Minnesota State University, Mankato to major in Ecology

Robert Shippman

Parents: Marty Shippman, Francis Hauer

Future plans: Planning on working after high school

Brody Snitker

Parents: Tom & Amanda Snitker

Future plans: Planning on working after high school

Abigail Svien

Parents: Johnny & Jennifer Svien

Caitlin Schmitz

Parents: Cory & Sara Schmitz

Future plans: Attending the University of WIsconsin-Milwaukee

Connor Skluzacek

Parents: Bruce & Christine Skluzacek

Future plans: Attending the University of Minnesota to major in Entrepreneurship

Alex Soukup

Parents: Denise & Carl Treu, David Soukup

Future plans: Attending Minnesota State University, Mankato to major in Engineering

Abdoulaye Tandia

Parents: Lakhamy & Fatima Tandia

Future plans: Attending Minnesota State University, Mankato to major in Marketing

Parents: Eric & Lisa Schroeder

Parents: Bruce & Christine Skluzacek Future plans: Attending the University of Minnesota to major in Entrepreneurship Management

Parents: Jason & Teri Squires Future plans: Attending South Central College-North Mankato to major in Agriculture & Diesel Services

Parents: John & Beth Titus

Future plans: Attending Iowa State University to major in Physics

Alice Schroeder

Future plans: Attending Winona State University to major in Elementary Education w/ Early Childhood emphasis

Matthew Squires

Luke Skluzacek

Nora Titus

William Triplett

Parents: Ayala Turpin & Steven

Hofstedt

Future plans: Undecided

Parents:

Future

the

Molly Tuma

Parents: Bob & Lisa Tuma

Future plans: Attending University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to major in Psychology

Parents: Angel Paivarinta, Thomas Weiss

Future plans: Attending the College of St. Benedict’s to major in Psychology

Parents: Faith & Randy Turek

Future plans: Attending Iowa State University to major in Computer Engineering

Parents: Greg & Jessica Westerman

Future plans: Attending St. John’s University to major in Accounting

Parents:

Future plans: Attending Minnesota State University-Mankato to major in Elementary Education

Traditions and Modern Practices

High school graduation ceremonies are steeped in tradition and symbolism, serving as a rite of passage for students transitioning from one phase of their lives to the next.

Over the years, these ceremonies have evolved significantly, reflecting changes in society, education and cultural norms.

History

The origins of high school graduation ceremonies can be traced to medieval universities, where students were awarded degrees in formal ceremonies known as commencements. These early ceremonies often included processions, academic regalia, and the conferral of degrees by university officials.

Over time, these traditions were adopted by secondary schools. In the U.S., graduation ceremonies in the 1900s included events for the graduating seniors, according to Jostens. These included senior plays, banquets, picnics or

sometimes even outdoor hikes and backpacking trips.

“Pomp and Circumstance,” the most commonly played processional, was written for the coronation of King Edward VII of Great Britain, according to History.com. In 1905, Yale bestowed an honorary degree on the song’s composer and played it for the graduation, a practice that was picked up by other schools.

Etiquette

Graduation ceremonies are formal events. Students are expected to dress appropriately, typically wearing caps and gowns in school colors. Guests should dress tastefully and refrain from disruptive behavior during the ceremony.

It is customary for attendees to arrive early, silence cell phones and remain seated. Applause and cheering are encouraged at appropriate times, such as when graduates receive their diplomas, but excessive noise should be avoided out of respect for others and the proceedings.

Some schools limit the number of guests each graduate can have at the ceremony. Jos-

tens recommends inviting one person from each wing of the family or coming up with a creative solution such as drawing names.

Components

While specific elements of graduation ceremonies vary from school to school, several common components include:

1. Processional. The ceremony begins with a formal procession of graduates, faculty and school officials entering the venue to the accompaniment of music.

2. Welcome address. A school administrator or faculty member delivers a welcome address, greeting attendees and setting the tone for the ceremony.

3. Student speakers. Graduation ceremonies often feature speeches by student repre-

sentatives, such as class valedictorians or student council members, reflecting on their experiences and offering words of inspiration to their peers.

4. Presentation of diplomas. Graduates are individually called to the stage to receive their diplomas or certificates, often accompanied by handshakes or congratulatory remarks from school officials.

5. Commencement address. A keynote speaker, typically a distinguished guest or prominent community member, delivers a commencement address, offering words of wisdom and encouragement to the graduating class.

6. Turning of the tassel. At the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates participate in the symbolic turning of the tassel on their mortarboard hats, signifying their transition from students to alumni.

7. Recessional. The ceremony concludes with a formal recessional, as attendees exit the venue to the accompaniment of music.

Damien Winterfeldt

Parent: Josette Winterfeldt Future plans: Planning on working after high school

Nalia Wagner

Irene & Chris Wagner

plans: Attending

College of St. Scholastica to major in Biochemistry

Katelyn Weiss

Josiah Turek

Dylan Westerman

Edna Valdez

Fabiola Valdez, Marco Antonio Rios

Landen Wetzel

Parents: Lance & Jeni Wetzel Future plans: Planning on working after high school

Eli Viskocil

Parents: Dale & Laura Viskocil

Future plans: Attending Dakota County Technical College to major in Electrical line work

Alison Weydert Parents: Toni & Dan Weydert Future plans: Attending Minnesota State University, Mankato to major in Dental Hygiene

Reggie Vosejpka Parents: Bradley & Megan Vosejpka Future plans: Planning on working after high school

McAlister Wilmes Parents: Heather & Gary Wilmes Future plans: Planning on working after high school