BHS Class of 2016: Closing a chapter, starting another

A rainy Friday couldn't dampen the spirits of the class of 2016 at Brainerd High School.

The rain moved commencement from Don Adamson Field into the high school gym as friends and family members packed in to see the seniors complete their educational journey through Brainerd Public schools.

Three seniors addressed their classmates and the surrounding crowd Friday night. Riley Fabian led things off by telling everyone he is not the kind of student who racks up accolades like a 4.0 GPA or athlete of the year recognition.

"While all of those are great qualities and awards to have, I'm more along the lines of your average student," Fabian said. "So I don't really fit the cliche viewpoint of a speaker at graduation, but I feel as if I can relate to many of you sitting in the seats in front of me."

Fabian spent three years of his time in high school pretending to be someone he isn't, he said. He was afraid to stand out, he said, until he realized he shouldn't let people judge him for the things he enjoys doing.

"Be happy, do you for you, not for anyone else," Fabian said. "Don't let someone else's opinions deter you from what you believe in."

Character is more important than things like being recognized as homecoming king, Fabian said. It also defines who you are, he said, not things like your salary or popularity.

High school is a time to try new things, Fabian said, and to have first experiences. It's also a time to enjoy yourself, he said, and every day has new possibilities.

"Each day has the potential to be such a memorable one and we have been blessed with an amazing faculty and administration, so it's very hard to not get something out of Brainerd High School," Fabian said.

Fabian highlighted some of the class of 2016's accomplishments, which included raising money for water resources through H2O For Life, bringing back a musical to BHS, organizing a successful blood drive and the We Scare Hunger food drive.

Student Council President Rachel Cleveland reflected on the journey she and her classmates had made since they arrived at BHS as awkward freshmen and leave as comfortable seniors. She included many cultural touchstones the class experienced together, including the films "Mean Girls," "High School Musical" and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." The seniors graduated from Razor scooters to their own vehicles, from Facebook to Instagram and Snapchat.

"As a class, we've pushed back from this idea of strict societal conformity, and we've captured this stirring desire to discover, to adventure, to dream, to break past this sense of uniformity and discover a world much larger than imaginable," Cleveland said.

The class of 2016 is ready to challenge the mundane, Cleveland said. The support system at BHS prompted the students to challenge themselves, she said, to tackle life's problems.

"They asked us hard questions and then prepared us to begin again," Cleveland said.

Cleveland charged her classmates to continue to challenge themselves after graduation and to be remarkable, passionate people. Their community in Brainerd has prepared them to do whatever they set their minds to, she said.

"This is your time: to grow, to be, to do, to serve, to challenge, to become," Cleveland said. "Take the lessons learned, humbly say thank you and begin again."

The BHS colors may be blue and white, but senior Megan Wroolie used her speech to pay homage to the Purple One, Minnesota icon Prince, who died on April 21. She opened her speech by inserting graduation-themed words into the opening lyrics of "Let's Go Crazy."

"Electric word BHS it means forever and that's a mighty long time, but I'm here to tell you there's something else: post-graduation," Wroolie said. "A world of never-ending happiness, you can always see the responsibilities day or night."

Life after graduation will have pitfalls like debt, depression, divorce and other obstacles "that'll even make doves cry," Wroolie said, echoing another Prince hit, "When Doves Cry." She went on to use lyrics from "Raspberry Beret," "Purple Rain" and "Little Red Corvette" to show how their lives would change now that they're leaving the protective nest of school. She reminded the seniors their classmates sitting next to them have traveled the same path.

"They are the ones you walked to class with everyday, copied their homework the day it was due and even the ones who you gossiped about," Wroolie said.

They may take different paths after graduation, Wroolie said, but they will still be there "to lift you up when times are tough."

Wroolie chose to highlight Prince's lyrics to show no matter the artist, listeners can find bits of themselves in an artist's lyrics.

"All their lyrics share one common thing: they move us, inspire us, drive us to tears and make us true to ourselves," Wroolie said. "Looking past graduation, it is up to all of us to write our own songs in order to inspire others with the lyrics that we have penned."

Band Director Chris Fogderud gave the faculty address, explaining the class of 2016's graduation was the summation of many small, determined actions, which add up to a high school diploma.

"Above all, we are here to celebrate with you: who you are and who you will become," Fogderud said. "And we pledge to you our continued love and support."

Fogderud asked the graduates to look around them and realize they are members of a vast, supportive community of teachers, family members, friends and more. He said his hope was the graduates would remember to be mindful of their interactions with their communities. Many people spend too much time focusing inwardly, he said, and not outwardly. It takes gratitude to turn your focus outward.

"It is only when I feel grateful that I can get myself into a generous state of mind-a state of mind that is focused away from me and towards my community," Fogderud said.

They should practice their gratitude every day, Fogderud said, and make an effort to be better at it. It involves being grateful for the big things like family and friends, he said, and the little things that are harder to notice.

"My hopes are these: that you will keep looking at your community from that perspective, that you will be mindful of all that has been done for you, and that you will be grateful," Fogderud said.

Friday's commencement was the 129th in BHS history. Interim Superintendent Bob Gross noted it was the 32nd BHS graduation he had presided over.

SPENSER BICKETT may be reached at 218-855-5859 or [email protected] . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/spenserbickett .