May 25—EAST GRAND FORKS — High school students in East Grand Forks closed one chapter of their lives and moved into the next as the Class of 2024 celebrated graduation on Friday, May 24.
Brian Loer, principal of East Grand Forks Senior High School, announced that the 120 graduates had met all the achievements set by the state of Minnesota and the school district to receive their diplomas. He also joked that he would try to keep the ceremony short since the Minnesota Timberwolves played in the NBA’s Western Conference final playoff series on Friday night.
Loer gave five things to remember as the seniors moved on in their lives: be a good person, take risks, be grateful, do things you may not want to because it can lead to better things, and make a difference and change the world .
In East Grand Forks, both Sacred Heart School and Senior High graduated Friday. Sacred Heart held its ceremony Friday afternoon and there were 25 graduates in attendance, with valedictorian Avalon Knudson giving the address.
“Whether it’s colleges, trade schools, cosmetology schools or straight into the workforce, even though we’re not together, it’s comforting to know that we will always be there for each other,” Knudson said. “We are now entering a new part of our lives where we will take chances and risks and the unknown future that lies ahead can be frightening.”
The ceremony also honored Joe Stagnaro, a member of the Sacred Heart class of 2024, who died last year. Liam Lohmeyer, 5, who received a kidney and liver donation from Stagnaro, and his family were present and hugged by Stagnaro’s father, Douglas Stagnaro. Stagnaro’s twin brother Oscar Stagnaro graduated with the class.
At Senior High School, No. 1 students Erin Bowman and Alison Kovar gave speeches. A total of 37 students graduated cum laude, which means they have an average grade of 3.75 or higher. There was a four-player tie for number 1.
The first speaker, Bowman, an honor student who plans to study political science in college, said this is the beginning of the rest of their lives.
“High school marked the beginning of the end. Our last stop until we were done and could move on with the rest of our lives,” Bowman said. “It was also the start of many of our caffeine addictions, which slowly got worse over the years.”
Kovar said they have made an impact not only on themselves, but on East Grand Forks as a community.
“Our first project together as a class was in kindergarten, when we helped rebuild Sherlock Park. Of course we were too small to use power tools, but we still made a difference,” Kovar said. “Our passion on the field, on the ice, on the court, on stage and in the classroom has given us a way to inspire younger generations to find what they love and be successful in what they choose.”
Loer’s youngest son also graduated. Both of his other sons graduated from East Grand Forks during his tenure as principal.
“This is one of the most important days of their lives,” Loer said at the end of the ceremony. “I hope you follow your passion wherever you go. Congratulations and good luck.”
