“Once aWildcat, Always aWildcat.” It was with this motto on a blue and gold backdrop that the River Falls Class of 2020 was sent out into the world.

“Good afternoon and welcome, to our virtual celebration of the River Falls Class of 2020,” River Falls Superintendent Jamie Benson said via prerecorded remarks posted to YouTube last Friday July 17. “This virtual event is not exactly what we had all hoped for, that’s for sure, but since we have what we have, I’ll take this opportunity to say a few words to our graduates, the students who do bring us much pride.” Benson then related of how “endings are accompanied by new beginnings” as he led students through a recap of their collective journey from kindergarten through the present with its many individual adjustments, saying that “in time all these new things became familiar,” ending with their time in River Falls High School.

“I can imagine actually—I hope that—you had some high points, even some challenges,” Benson said. The existence of both these experiences alongside each other was how one figured themselves out and became ready for the world he said. “How ready would you be to be a ‘young adult’ if you didn’t have experiences of overcoming some disappointments and challenges?” Saying that the way things ended wasn’t what anyone had planned Benson next shared the wisdom that “some things happen in life that we did not plan on, nor can we control,” but also told students not to let disappointments and lost opportunities keep them tethered to the past. “Keep watching for that new opportunity,” he told the graduates watching, “It will come.” Superintendent Benson said that the Class of 2020 would be remembered for their “resilience and perseverance in light of COVID-19,” along with being “trailblazers who learned to do school, in a different way—very different way.” The Class of 2020 had learned about the need for self-sacrifice, Benson said, and “the need to elevate the good of all people,” then giving several examples.

“My prediction is this will never leave you,” he said of the present reality and its lessons, saying that it was worthy of ongoing thought and action as they went on to their future lives. “We’ve arrived at the end of high school, but it is also a beginning,” he said. “You the Class of 2020, will become tomorrow’s leaders. Clearly we need you. We need your talent, we need your energy and creativity, your intellect, your compassion, your flexibility, and your hope for the future.” Finishing with a note of congratulation, Benson then ceded the spotlight to Sophia Schmidt, a 2020 River Falls High School Graduate.

“As I wrote these words, I was amidst a dense and unyielding fog,” Schmidt began from the podium vacated by the Superintendent. “I had just walked out of a building I had spent the past four years of my life in; not knowing if I would ever attend class, eat lunch, or make music within its walls ever again,” she said. “I was not alone.” Every single person graduating that day had wondered if the present moment would arrive or come to fruition. Schmidt said that the uncertainties and unknowns were “almost worse than the certain losses and cancellations,” but that the knowledge that she wasn’t alone and that others were experiencing the same had brought her through it.

“What we are experiencing lacks precedence,” she said, “but we are not alone. This experience serves as proof of the power of coming together.” The idea of working together to achieve a greater good wasn’t exactly a new one, she said. “It is common knowledge that event the best warrior of all time, is no match for an army of a thousand united souls.” Some of the first skills learned as kids were cooperation and sharing. “But as we grew, we learned that crayons in art class and the monkey bars at recess, are not the only things we have to share,” she said. “As classmates and friends, we shared experiences.” Among the shared experiences was their first Pep Fest, where disagreement and uncertainty of how to chant “2020” had led to “an unintelligible wall of sound.” The Class of 2020 hadn’t let that past faux pas define them, though, Schmidt said. Among their shared experiences in high school were two-time state marching champions and school recordholders in “state teams and varsity sports,” including conference football championship. “And our forensics team won state for the first time last year,” Schmidt said, “and again this year.” Switching next to a more personal note, Schmidt said that as a perfectionist she had re-written each sentence of her speech “at least five times,” until she was satisfied with it. She tried to do the best she could, and make a speech everyone could relate too, as it was their graduation too.

“But what I realized, is that I can only speak from my own experience,” she said. “My memories of high school are only a fragment of our story as a class, and perhaps they are different from your memories,” she said, acknowledging the diversity of student experiences. “But what I do know, is what it is to be part of a team,” Schmidt went on, saying that her best experience in high school had been playing snare drum in the marching band.

“As the drum line, we did everything together,” she shared. “We practiced together; we marched next to each other; we played the same notes; we counted the same rests; we contributed to the same unified sound.” They had also fought with and annoyed each other and disagreed constantly with each other, “but when we walked out on that field and performed, none of that mattered,” she said. “What mattered was that each of us wanted to perform the absolute best show we could, not just for ourselves, but for each other.” Because each unique perspective was different, it was important to share with and listen to one another. Saying that she had started high school as an individualist, Schmidt shared that she had learned with time that what mattered is not what one did, but how they did it, including the passion invested and relationships built. “You never know when your time is going to come to an end,” she said. “A lesson we all learned a little more quickly than we would have hoped,” but also that, “there is an unstoppable power in coming together” and recognizing each other’s humanity. “We are all human. It might seem like the fog that has fallen over our lives will never lift, but it will. The thing about time is that it always keeps rolling on, for good and for bad.” Schmidt finished her speech by acknowledging future changes after the present situation changes. “So when the fog lifts, go out into the world with the understanding that our similarities outweigh our differences,” and that, “our similarities are what will allow us to create a brighter, clearer future,” finishing with a general thank you to the audience. Once Schmidt finished her remarks it was on to the next student speaker, Alexandria Samargia.

“Hello everyone,” she started out. “I am Alex Samargia, and I am one of your graduation speakers.” Samargia asked what it took to build roots, answering that this was the result of “time, experience, and growth.” Relating that the Class of 2020 had spent 1,368 days together since the beginning of freshman year, Samargia said that experiences “in academics, sports, and fine arts” had allowed the Class of 2020 to unite and stand together. “We have built a foundation,” she said. “We have built roots.” Relating that roots were necessary for branches, Samargia said that teachers and the rest of the community had helped the roots become established so that the Class of 2020 could go out and grow its branches. “As we grow our own branches, sometimes they intertwine,” she said. “I think everyone will agree that our class has had a very special bond.” Saying that they had celebrated the accomplishments of their athletes, musicians, actors and scholars, “to name a few,” Samargia reminisced of the days when “the West Side was the best side,” along with those spent going to the Glen Park pool and of having that first date at the River Falls theatre. “This is our home,” she said to her fellow classmates. “And this is where it all began. With each experience, good and bad, our roots grew deeper.” Samargia then shared her belief that turning those roots into branches meant to “grow taller by lifting others,” and “pulling back our leaves so that the sun can shine on those who are constantly in the shade,” putting the power into her classmate’s hands for brings about positive changes in the world, and themselves.

“Every single one of our lives will take many twist and turns, sometimes growing in a direction we expect, and sometimes not,” she said, “However, our branches will not cultivate on our own. They will only grow with perseverance and grit, success and failures.” Samargia reminded her fellow graduates that they could always return to their roots. “We have had a very special connection that can never be broken,” she told the watching graduates. “Don’t forget our roots, and don’t forget each other. I hope you can look back and say, ‘we did it all, we lived.’ Congratulations River Falls High School Class of 2020.” Samargia closed out her remarks by saying “Thank you.” From there it was straight into remarks by River Falls High School Principal Kit Luedtke.

“Distinguished faculty, board members, family, friends, and honored graduates of the Class of 2020. Thank you again for joining us this afternoon, and thank you for providing the support, guidance, and love that has fostered the success of these fine young men and women,” Principal Luedtke began. The principal of River Falls High School then took a moment to mention and honor those who were no longer with the graduates, calling for a moment of silence to honor absent loved ones symbolized by the single white rose on the stage, before going on.

“In nearly twenty years in our community and in our building, I cannot think of another class that has had more than its fair share of ups and downs,” Leudtke said, saying that life was full of such variable experiences. “As individuals and as an entire class, I am so proud of each and every one of you for your tenacity, your perseverance through all things that life has thrown at you, especially through these last few months,” he said. Leudtke went on to say that graduates should remember they were never given a challenge they couldn’t handle, if not by themselves, then with “the love and support of others.” Leudtke finished his brief remarks with a few words of wisdom, acknowledging that he might never see some of the students again. Leudtke’s words of wisdom were these:

• Family, friends, love and kindness towards others are more important as money or career status achieved in life, and would be what the graduates were remembered by far more than the latter.

• Loving themselves was important, which meant to have self-worth and personal integrity, never settling for less than their best.

• To be humble and grateful for what they have, and always listen to one’s moral compass to do the right thing, even when this was difficult or in trying times.

• Contribute to the beauty of the diversity “that our world brings, no matter what.”

• Failure is a part of life, and everyone failed at some point. Rather than being ashamed of such failures, students should use these to empower and motivate them to succeed and find opportunities to persevere.

Leudtke then took time to thank the graduates—including all 14 valedictorians—for their leadership and academic fortitude, along with those entering the armed forces for their courage and willingness to protect the values and morals that allowed for American freedoms.

Leudtke also took time out to thank the foreign exchange students watching, for enriching the lives of those in River Falls, showing how to appreciate other cultures and contributing to the learning of those from the local area. Finally, Leudtke thanked those going into the workforce and apprenticeships as well as those going on to continuing education at college and at tech schools, for their continued commitment to hard work, learning and volunteering their services to make the world a better place.

“Lastly, I want to say this: I really love and care for every single one of you,” the River Falls principal said, wishing the best for each of the graduates in their futures and calling upon them to be a positive influence in their surroundings. He then introduced the River Falls Class of 2020, with a slideshow of the graduating senior class playing on the screen to “Pomp and Circumstance.” 242 slides later, the Class of 2020 was wished a final congratulations, and bid adieu to River Falls High School—at least for the present.