'We did it'

“We made it” was a central message echoed by all four 2023 graduates who spoke during the June 4 commencement ceremony: Avery Madsen, Jenaro Delgado Jr., Lindsey Kopetzki, and Aubree Hansen.

Of the 143 students who received their diplomas on Sunday, 83 were honor students.

One of the underlying themes of the commencement was that the Class of 2023 went through a lot to reach that stage, from dealing with construction in Junior High to going through a pandemic for the first half of their senior high career. And while they congratulated each other on making it through those tough times, their class motto is, “We have come a long way, but not half as far as we will go.”

“This class has been through a lot,” said high school principal Dr. Jason Miller. “In seventh grade, they had to receive lessons at the Central building because the high school was under construction. In eighth grade, everyone had to get used to the new layout of the completely different high school building. Then in ninth grade, the world shut down, and everything changed.”

But through it all, they came out better people. “Every single year, you dealt with change. And what I’ve noticed in each and every one of you is your resilience. Being resilient does not mean pursuing perfection. It’s toxic to do that on a daily basis. It’s better to pursue excellence.”

Miller then shared a quote he heard recently. “Every moment gives us a choice and gives us the opportunity to choose again. If we aren’t on track, we get to choose again to get back on track. There is no one on this planet that walks with integrity and perfection all the time. But the more we practice resilience, the more the impact we have on those around us.”

Class Speakers

Senior Class President Avery Madsen, who was first of the four graduating speakers, acknowledged the accomplishments of this year’s seniors. “We did it. We made it. 

“We grew up,” she said.

She then shared a few memories, including when the class worked on a time capsule in sixth grade. The question they were asked then was, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Madsen’s answer at the time? “I wanted to be Justin Bieber’s girlfriend,” she answered. “But in the last six years, my dream has become…well…more realistic.”

She mentioned that, in hindsight, the question seems a bit close-ended: “I challenge all of us to reevaluate the question, and ask instead, ‘Who do you want to be when you grow up?’ With the substitution of one word, the question takes an entirely new meaning. It frames our future around ourselves instead of allowing it to be defined in what others want us to choose. It reminds us that who we are is not set in stone by genetics or past actions. Who you are is a decision you get to make for yourself.”

Madsen then reflected on her time at Waseca High School. “When I think of the past 13 years, I think of football student sections, screaming lyrics to songs in locker rooms before games, making TikToks in chemistry instead of actually doing work, going to state in girls’ basketball, morning floor hockey, and taking the kindergarten on a trip through Africa in the hallways of Hartley.”

Madsen had a wish for her classmates. “Whatever you decide to do, I hope each one of you experiences what it’s truly like to live rather than just be alive. Congratulations Class of 2023. We grew up.”

Senior Class Vice President Jenaro Delgado Jr.’s speech started the same way. “We did it. We finally did it.

“This was the goal from the first day of kindergarten, when we would walk in crying because we did not want our mom and dad to leave us. It was very hard on us apparently, because according to my parents, when they picked me up, Mr. Hofmeister would tell them I was crying all day.

“The only time I was happy was when I was at lunch. I guess some things never change.”

Delgado acknowledged that each stage of schooling was tough, from the personality changes to the wacky hairdos and fashion changes. “Oh, and maybe I should mention we survived a whole pandemic,” he added.

He remembered when the students received two weeks off of school in March of 2020, two weeks that would change their lives forever. “Teachers had to learn how to use the internet more, and the students had to get up early for Zoom meetings,” he said. “And trust me, it was way harder on the students, although Ms. Nelson would probably disagree with me.”

Delgado claimed that the Class of 2023 was one of the most tested and pushed groups. “Mr. Wendland had always told us during football that we would have to face adversity when times were hard, and that’s exactly what we did. We have been through so much and have proven time and time again that we can accomplish what is thrown our way.”

Delgado ended by sharing some advice. “No matter what you do, where you go, never give up on your goal. Know that as a Bluejay, we’re told we can accomplish anything. Lastly, know that we have a great community that shows love to all of us and that we will always be welcomed back.

“I like to think that Waseca is more than a town. We are a family. Everybody here cares for each other just like they are family.

“It’s sad that our time with each other is ending. But I have the utmost respect and confidence in every one of you. I do hope that all our paths will cross again.”

Lindsey Kopetzki, who served as student representative to the school board, shared that the class was gathered together not just to celebrate a milestone but to appreciate how much the Class of 2023 “has learned and grown throughout our years at high school.

“Up until my junior year, I thought achieving good grades was the most important aspect of being successful,” she said. “But it wasn’t until I turned in my final test as a high school student that I found myself thinking about what I learned throughout school.”

Despite the tests, Kopetzk claimed that school’s life lessons from certain very memorable moments were most important.

Kopetzki cited Mrs. Kaiser’s computer skills class as an example. “Learning how to type quickly really helps when you’re good at procrastinating,” she joked. “But what Mrs. Kaiser said at the end of each class was to be humble and kind. And I think that’s something our class has taken to heart.”

Ms. Nelson’s algebra class also made an impact on Kopetzki. The teacher awarded chips to those who made progress in excelling in the lessons she taught. “She taught us more than solving for x,” Kopetzki said. “She taught us how to set goals and high standards for ourselves and that we’re capable of whatever we put our minds to. I think I can speak on behalf of my class when I say we achieved the highest scores in math while in her class.”

Kopetzki then acknowledged Mr. Nelson, who she claimed greeted every student and sang the song “Championship.”

The teachers she named were only a small fraction of those that influenced the class. “They have all taught us skills and important life lessons we can use outside of the classroom,” she said. “Waseca High School has taught the Class of 2023 to have integrity, to be humble and kind, that we are capable of anything we put our minds to, to have convictions in our opinions, and, of course, to make good decisions.

“No matter where our class goes, be it college, the military, or the workforce, we will take these life lessons with us.”

Student Council President Aubree Hansen was the last to speak. “I am feeling a lot of emotions,” she admitted. “Last year, just in the bleachers, I sat with my best friend Avery and we recorded the two of us yelling with excitement that a year from now, we’ll be up there, as we pointed to last year’s graduating class.

“Time went faster than I ever imagined,” she said. “Just as the wise woman Taylor Swift once said, I remember it all too well.”

Hansen brought up the 1980s classic movie “The Breakfast Club,” talking about the plot of the five characters from different walks of life who went through detention together.

However, Hansen said that the Class of 2023 couldn’t be defined as rich, the outcast, or any of the other personalities seen in “The Breakfast Club.” “We cannot be defined in a single word,” she said. “We do have an opportunity to break these stereotypes that many try to put us in. As we enter the workforce, we have the opportunity to change the narrative, to be our true selves. You get to choose who you are and who you want people to view you as. This is the end of the decade, but the start of an age.”

She once again quoted Taylor Swift: “The scary news is, you’re on your own now. The cool news is, you’re on your own now.”

Honors

Those who graduated with honors wore gold cords, while those who earned “cum laude” honors wore blue and gold, “magna cum laude” wore blue and white, and “summa cum laude” wore white.

Seven students received special recognition for achieving a 4.0+ grade point average: Leah Bartelt, Hailey Dettmer, Joseph Feldkamp, Cecelia Huttemier, Jacob Kehler, Lindsey Kopetzki, and Christian Rodriguez.

Minnesota Honor Society members received special recognition, too. They are Kyle Ahlschlager, Samantha Azure, Leah Bartelt, Maia Bartelt, Miranda Breck, Jenaro Delgado Jr., Hailey Dettmer, Ella Dufault, Joseph Feldkamp, Isabella Hadley, Aubree Hansen, Charlet Harguth, Alexander Honstad, Kya Hoof, Cecelia Huttemier, Megan Kanewischer, William King, Lindsey Kopetzki, Sophia Krause, Griffin Krautkremer, Thume Lang, Grace Lapides, Avery Madsen, Jacqlyn Mathern, McKenna Miller, Camille Ring, Christian Rodriguez, Jayme Sandbeck, Chloe Schumacher, Haylee Sommers, Kloe Wadd, and Hannah Wilder.

Other notes

All 143 graduates were presented their diplomas by Superintendent Eric Hudspith and Waseca School Board members Alyssa Bowers, Julie Anderson, and Charlie Priebe.

Members of the high school band under the direction of Devon Lawrence performed “Pomp and Circumstance” as the graduates walked into the gym; Steven Reineke’s “River of Life” was played as they walked out. The high school choir, including senior members, performed a medley of “Found” and “Tonight” arranged by Jacob Narverud. The choir was directed by Tim Delnay.

As the class walked out of the high school for the final time, Dr. Miller’s closing words resonated in all of them. “My sincere wish for each and every one of you, is that you embrace your resilience and you live a fulfilling life. We’ll all be cheering for you along the way.”