Waseca class of 2023 to graduate Sunday

The Waseca High School graduating class of 2023 takes the stage at the high school for commencement Sunday, June 4 at 1:30 p.m. This year’s graduates number 142, up from 121 last year. 

Instead of valedictorians and salutatorians, Waseca confers “Latin Honors,” the type of recognition often used at colleges. Students are given titles such as Cum Laude (with honor), Magna Cum Laude (with great honor) and Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) based on their grade point averages (GPAs). Under this system, all students in each grade range are recognized with no limits imposed by class rank or other systems of comparison. 

At the ceremony, those with a GPA between 3.9 and 4 will be wearing white cords; those with a GPA between 3.75 and 3.89 will have blue and white cords; anyone with a GPA between 3.5 and 3.74 will have blue and gold cords. Plain gold cords will be around the shoulders of anyone with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.49.

Students who received a 4.0 GPA are, in alphabetical order:

Leah Kathleen Bartelt, Hailey Louise Dettmer, Joseph Scott Feldkamp, Cecelia Rose Huttemier, Jacob Phyl Koop Kehler, Lindsey Maria Kopetzki, Christian Matthew Rodriguez.

Musical selections to be performed by the Waseca High School band and choir include “The Awakening,” “Found/Tonight,” and “River of Life.”

This year’s class officers and representatives are: Aubree Hansen, Lindsey Kopetzki, Avery Madsen, Jenaro Delgado Jr, and Christian Rodriguez.

Class speakers are Jenaro Delgado Jr, Senior Class Vice President; Lindsey Kopetzki, School Board Representative; and Aubree Hanson, Student Council President. 

The senior class motto is “We have come a long way, but not half as far as we will go.”

The class colors are Blue and Gold.

The class flower is a yellow rose.

Presenting diplomas this year are Superintendent Eric Hudspith and Board of Education members Dr. Julie Anderson, Mrs. Alyssa Bowers, and Mr. Charlie Priebe. High School Principal Dr. Jason Miller will be reading the graduates’ names as they receive their diplomas.

Minnesota Honor Society members include: Kyle Lee Ahlschlager, Samantha Mae Azure, Leah Kathleen Bartelt, Maia Jean Bartelt, Miranda Jo Breck, Jersey Jaymes Castle, Jenaro Delgado Jr., Hailey Louise Dettmer, Ella Anne Dufault, Joseph Scott Feldkamp, Isabella Sue Hadley, Aubree Grace Hansen, Charlet Ann Harguth, Alexander Richard Honstad, Kya Christine Hoof, Cecelia Rose Huttemeir, Megan Marie Kanewischer, William Clay King, Lindsey Marie Kopetzki, Sophia Catherine Krause, Griffin John Krautkremer, Thyme Jones Lang, Grace Katherine Lapides, Avery Jean Madsen, Jacqlyn Faith Mathern, McKenna Grace Miller, Camille Elizabeth Ring, Christian Matthew Rodriguez, Jayme Genevieve Sandbeck, Chloe Grace Schumacher, Haylee Christine Sommers, Kloe Nell Wadd, Hannah Lydia Wilder

The 2023 escorts are Mr. John Hanson and Mr. Jake Nelson. The tassel turners are Mrs. Brenda Nelson and Mr. Dan Sharpsteen.

This year’s graduates are pictured on Pages 4-8 of this week’s Pioneer.