Congratulations to all 154 of our honor graduates. You have worked hard for this accomplishment”

Principal Todd Herber

Convening at 6 p.m. on Sunday June 4 in the Aldrich Ice Arena at Maplewood, the Park High Class of 2023 said farewell to high school, and hello to the next chapter in its life.

Taking place over a period of 100 minutes after a delayed start due to a medical emergency, the 107th commencement for Park High followed commencements for Woodbury and East Ridge, also held at the Aldrich Ice Arena.

Starting with Pomp and Circumstance by Edward Elgar as arranged by Clare Grundman, the ceremony starting with faculty entrance soon followed with graduates walking out on the drained ice arena, seating arranged in twin rectangular matrices 15 seats wide by 17 long, or 510 total seats, for math geeks.

Arriving in green gowns with gold, silver, white, ivy, army, and other stoles as well as cords, the graduates of the Park High Class of 2023 took their seats.

“Good afternoon and welcome to the 107th Park High School Commencement ceremony and a special welcome to the Class of 2023,” Principal Todd Herber said in welcome. Following with a statement of acknowledgement for the native nations that had called the land home since time immemorial, Herber named the Dakota, Nakota, Lakota, Anishinaabe, Ho Chunk, Cheyenne, and other native nations of the region. He then invited the audience to stand as able for the presentation of colors by the Park High Jr. ROTC Color Guard and singing of the National Anthem by the Park High Choir.

This being done, Herber recognized staff and school board members present who had contributed to making Park High a success.

Among those recognized for this year’s Park High Honor Staff were Katie Block, Jacob Cusick, Younna Eiden-Giel, Thomas Storm, and Maria Tol.

Middle school Honor Staff included Craig Bauman, Samuel Dummer, Chris Foss, Andrea Kleoppel, Jamie Kirchner.

Elementary Honor Staff picked by the Class of 2023 included Michelle Harrison, Chad Palmquist, Gina Tester, Reed Chamberlain, and Justin Wakem.

“Rarely is success achieved without help along the way,” Herber said in offering a third general recognition for those teachers, parents and others who had helped the students reach their goals. “Remember to thank those who have helped you along the way.”

With the Park High Choir next performing “Love Has Broken Down the Wall” by Mark A. Miller, Herber said eight students who would graduate Summa Cum Laude with Distinction with gold honor sash and blue ribbon medal, 41 students Summa Cum Laude with a gold honor sash and white ribbon medal, 105 with white and silver stoles to signify outstanding scholarship, and eight students with a black ivy stole signifying a full Baccalaureate International Baccalaureate diploma.

“Congratulations to all 154 of our honor graduates. You have worked hard for this accomplishment,” he said.

With 20 students graduating as international language certified by state standards, Herber expressed pride in the graduates for overcoming the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, including Google meet and Zoom.

“Class of 2023, we wish you health, happiness, and success as you embark on your life’s journey,” he said, then introducing the 2023 Summa Cum Laude with Distinction speakers: Lydia Best, Abigail Benson, Kendall Houlton, Ella Hogge, Justin Casa, and Ruby Menki. The six together gave a composite speech of which there were many outtake quotes:

“As we look back on our four years of high school, we wouldn’t be here without the dedication of our teachers and staff.”

“Park has given us the opportunity to lead and grow as individuals. We will develop into lifelong learners who will leave last impacts on generations to come.”

“How you approach your life every day is what truly defines you.”

“In the words of Carl Gustav Jung, ‘I am not what happens to me, but I am what I choose to become,”

“We have all faced disappointments and shortcomings. But these missteps are exactly what we can come together around today.”

“It’s through these experiences that we gain the most. So, as you sit here listening to us talk about the culmination of the past four years, we ask that you take one thing with you: remember to be kind. No matter who you are, what you do, where you go or who you choose to become, always be kind. Choose to be the example of kindness and compassion that you wish others to become.”

Following the joint speech with a musical selection by the Park High School band, the ceremony then moved to a speech by class speaker Chase Hiber

“Some of us will glide through the future, and if that’s you, more power to you,” he said. “But the rest of us will have to learn to deal with adversity…the truth is, we will struggle, and that’s ok.

Speaking next on conflict, Hiber said mistakes were common.

“If you’re anything like me, in high school, you’ve made mistake after mistake. But standing here today is a good indication to me that you’ve pulled yourself out of that, and I couldn’t be more proud of you.

It’s true, we’re turning the page of our story. But don’t lose those connections we have now, hold on to those,” he said. “As the authors of stories, we need to take control and take ownership over our destinies,” he said. “So, you didn’t make it into your first school. Get back up and keep trying. So, you didn’t end with the perfect GPA. Get back up and keep trying. So, you didn’t make it into varsity this year. Get back up and keep trying. If there’s one thing you should take away from this speech today, it’s that you have the will, the resources, and the networks to succeed beyond high school, if you just get up and keep working.” Following the class speaker, teacher Paul Pressnall then took the podium.

“I’d like to thank AI and Chat GPT for writing my speech,” he said. “That’s a joke, but more on that in a moment.”

Reflecting next on COVID and the unexpected closures, Pressnall said they had got through the challenges, climbing out of the hole together.

“Be smart, be wise, but still take risks,” Presnall told the graduates. “Life is all about the risks. Just be safe.”

“I made a joke about AI and Chat GPT, but the truth Class of 2023 is that I worry about you, and I worry for you. AI and its powers seem to show up everywhere and almost overnight. That’s in addition to the constant black hole of social media and the internet as a whole. Now we don’t know how this is going to change our society or—my fear—steal our valuable time…Life is going to happen quickly, and it is a magical, amazing, worthwhile endeavor. So please, please, please don’t waste it hunched over a 5-inch cracked screen.”

“Get out, make friends, do art, take care of your neighbors,” he said. “Get outside and do all of those things. Put the tech down and look up at the big, beautiful world around you. I promise you won’t regret it. End of lesson.”

With presentation of students and diplomas following, the Park High Class of 2023 went out to greet the world beyond high school.