TEAM sixth grade graduation

TEAM Academy Charter School held graduation for its sixth-graders, members of the class of 2029, as they leave TEAM Academy and join Waseca's Junior and Senior High School. Eleven sixth-graders were honored May 25: Jude Adams, Isaac Deleon, Bryndal Grams, Andre Hill, Gavin Hodgkins, Wyatt Partain, Erasmo Sandoval, Karime Solis, Allisun Stencel, Enrique (Ayovi) Tovar, and Carter Wenimont.

The graduation ceremony began with a welcome by Jill Courtney, director of TEAM Academy, during which she spoke about the honor of seeing the students grow and learn, many of whom joined TEAM Academy as kindergarteners, as well as her hopes that they would continue to learn and grow, make friends, and join sports and activities in high school. Under the leadership of music teacher and choir director Taylor Jones, the sixth-graders sang, “Carried Me With You” from the movie “Onward.” The piece was written by Brandi Carlile, Phillip Hanseroth, and Tim Hanseroth and arranged by W. Jack, and spoke to the support received from a special individual in the singer's life.

Three sixth-grade students, Tovar, Grams, and Sandoval, read essays they wrote on the topic “What TEAM Academy means to me.” The students talked about making friends and memories, receiving support from teachers, building confidence, and high school and college readiness.

Sixth-grade teacher Chris Hering then took the podium to give her graduation speech. “It seems as though you just walked through the door last week,” Hering told her class. She spoke about how, every year, she is prouder of her sixth-graders than ever before, but struggled this year to find the words to express how proud she was. “This class has exceeded my expectations and become the G.O.A.T.,” she said, “and yes, Erasmo, I know what that means.” Hering continued to talk about the way her students excelled, applying effort to all they did, developing their character, and becoming a family. She finished her speech by reading aloud When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left by Peter H. Reynolds, a book about coping with worry, doubt, fear and frustration that can hold people back from doing their best.

The sixth-grade students were then called one by one to receive their diplomas. Along with their TEAM Academy diplomas, each received a medal of achievement and a wallet-sized copy of the TEAM Academy Creed.