Speakers detailed four years of perseverance, growth and character development

By Reagan Hoverman

RIVER FALLS – The last four years have been anything but ordinary and anticipat – ed for the class of 2022, as was detailed by graduating senior speakers Emily Odegard and Eric Luebke, who reflected on their time as students at River Falls High School during their speeches at the graduation ceremony on Sunday, June 5.

Despite a pandemic being thrown into the middle of the class of 2022's high school career that forever changed how they ex – perienced four of the most formative years of their life, the speakers – both student and faculty alike – focused on the positives of facing such adversity, including getting stronger, being more creative with problem solutions, and enjoying every moment of rel –

atively-normal life.

After proper introductions at the begin –

ning of the ceremony, as well as some instru – mental music performed by the River Falls High School band, the aforementioned Ode – gard was the first speaker of the afternoon. She spoke of previously unimaginable chal –

lenges and highs and lows like no other grad –

uating class has ever experienced.

See RFHS GRADS, Page 9 RFHS grads

from Page 1

“From the darkness of a pandemic to the brilliance of state championships, our class can claim we’ve had one of the best unique experiences at River Falls High School,” Odegard stated to the nearly full-capacity high school gym. “Through trials and unpredictable circumstances, we’ve become persistent as a school, cohesive as a class and tenacious in our character.”

She spoke of what initially seemed like big challenges, such as having the famous Polar Vortex in February 2018, their freshman year at River Falls. The inclement weather included nine snow days and an additional 13 minutes tacked onto the end of each school day to make up for the lost time. She then spoke of the pandemic during her sophomore year.

“Sophomore year the world stopped,” Odegard said at the podium. “We were forced to adapt to new forms of learning and socializing. Despite the physical barriers of masks and screens, we pushed past the fear of the unknown and continued to grow.”

As Odegard neared the end of her remarks, she spoke about the one true takeaway she had from her four years as a Wildcat at River Falls High School – her ability to appreciate the present while it’s happening.

“Most importantly, I learned to never take things for granted,” Odegard said. “I learned to live life in the present and appreciate the beauty in micro-moments because no one can predict the future. If there’s one thing we’ve learned as a class, it’s how to persevere and grow when unexpected events occur without warning. Our actions during times of trial reveal our true character.”

After Odegard’s eloquent remarks at the podium and thunderous applause by the packed crowd, the second student speaker, the aforementioned Luebke, took to the podium as he addressed his fellow graduates and all of those in attendance.

Luebke spoke about how learning is about so much more than a grade that a student or parent may see on the online report card. He stated that learning extends far beyond the classroom and that learning can be defined in many ways.

"Our experience as learners is defined not by what grades we got or what classes we’re taking, but rather how we’ve grown, how we’ve adapted and changed,” Luebke said.

Luebke reflected on the importance of high school, and how it improved each student as an individual that is now ready to have a positive impact on society as they branch out into the real world, whether that be going to college to continue education, learning a trade or joining the workforce. He stated that each individual’s unique high school experience will forever impact them as an individual.

"While high school may not define who we are, it does mold who we will be,” Luebke said. “It bends us each and every which way, it tests our limits, strengthens us and tears us apart. The experience we’ve had as high schoolers will in all likelihood be something that impacts who we are forever.”

As was the same with Odegard’s remarks, Luebke detailed how the pandemic changed everything and impacted what was supposed to be the traditional high school experience. Instead of speaking about how it negatively impacted his experience, he instead focused on the experience he gained and how it made him stronger as an individual.

“Going through the pandemic made me more patient, more empathetic, and most of all, it made me realize how important it is to work toward the same goal,” Luebke said. "As cliche as it sounds, I think it was the first time I truly understood the phrase ‘We’re all in this together.’” He finished his remarks by speaking about how as new graduates, they’re going to be the future of this country and this world and that now as new adults entering the real world, they’ve gained their seat at the metaphorical table of society.

“As we go our separate ways, remember this: speak up, seek to inspire change around you, and keep listening,” Luebke said. “Today marks our last day as Wildcats, but our experience in high school has taught us the value of growth. With growth comes the unique power to make real change happen.”

Once the student speakers had concluded their remarks, the high school band once again entertained the packed auditorium with instrumental music. Once they were done, attention was drawn back to the podium where River Falls School District Superintendent Jamie Benson was standing ready to address attendees.

Benson reminded the class of 2022 that they didn’t get to graduation on their own. Their parents, grandparents, coaches, teach- ers, school stau, and a whole host of other individuals helped get them to the point of graduation.

Benson spoke about and even quoted Thomas Jeuerson, the third President of the United States, who believed that free and educated citizens should learn to understand what is going on in the world and they must do so to keep the world going right. Benson said that is an important lesson to remember.

“You need to know what is going on in the world around us, we need to care and pay at- tention," Benson said. "You need to find your place in the world and do your part so that it is going right. As graduates, sometimes finding your place in the world might not be easy. It might take some time. However, you’re going to make your place in the world where your passion and interests meet what the world needs.”

He stated that the class of 2022 is full of smart, compassionate young people that are more than capable of doing what it takes to keep the world going right. He stated that to do those things, each individual must be a good person of character.

“Parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, clergy, they’ve taught it to you,” Benson said. “Being a person of good character in your community, in your commitments, in your interactions, in your relationships, it’s an important way to keep our place in the world going right. Character will allow you to be a bridge-builder.”

Benson noted that character will help students address challenges that they will face as they enter the world. He stated that their generation will build bridges with character and compassion that will improve society as the class leaves its mark on this world.

“Celebrate your accomplishments today and be excited about your future, remember to thank those that helped you get to where you're at, find your place in the world and remember, character counts,” Benson said. “How you do what you do and how you treat those around you matters. May you go with Godspeed. Thank you and congratulations.”

As Benson left the podium, the students began lining up as the approximately 300 RFHS graduates began their walks across the stage to receive their diplomas. Once the diplomas had been distributed and each name had been read, Principal Kit Luedtke addressed the seniors and had them turn their tassels to become ovcial RFHS graduates.

He began his closing remarks by speaking about three of “Luedtke’s Lessons” which he shared with the class of 2022. Lesson number one is to choose kindness. He spoke about the importance of kindness and how it makes things easier.

“Name a time in your life when kindness doesn’t win,” Luedtke said. “If you choose to be kind to all around you, life becomes pretty joyous and easy.”

He spoke about following dreams and never settling. He stated that the class should never settle for anything less than each individual’s personal best. It may be challenging, but in the long run, it will be worth chasing dreams and never settling.

His final lesson was about cell phones, which, he said admittedly, he’s been wrong about for years.

“Cell phones and social media,” he said as he held up his cell phone. “How much of a time-sucker this thing is and how much it hurts your social and emotional well-being. I think I got it wrong.”

After admitting that he might have been wrong about cell phones, he issued a challenge to the class of 2022 regarding how they should use technology and smartphones moving forward.

“My challenge to you is to do more good than harm with (cell phones),” Luedtke said. “You’re digital natives – you’re not getting away from these things. If you can use this device to heal rather than hurt, if you can use social media to shift the narrative of diuer ence and division to more of compromise and compassion, you have power in your words, your actions, and your deeds. Make great choices with this and change the world with this device.”

He ended the ceremony by stating that the class of 2022 will always have a home at River Falls High School. Each student will always have a home at River Falls no matter what. He thanked the students for their contributions and wished all of the students well in their future endeavors.

River Falls High School Principal Kit Lu-edtke took to the podium to provide closing remarks at the 2022 graduation ceremony on Sunday, June 5. In his remarks, Luedtke told the class that they need to chase their dreams, be kind, never settle, and positively use technology to impact society in the rightway.Photo by Reagan Hoverman

River Falls High School senior Emily Ode-gard smiles as she receives her diploma during the graduation ceremony on Sunday afternoon. Odegard was one of two student speakers. During her time at the podium, she spoke about experiences of perseverance and growth as a high school student. Photo by Reagan Hoverman

River Falls High School senior Eric Luebke receives his diploma at the graduation cere-mony. Luebke was one of two senior speak-ers at the class of 2022 graduation ceremo-ny. In his speech, Luebke spoke about how learning is much more than just what hap-pens in the classroom, and that the experi-ence his class had at River Falls will shape them for the rest of their lives. Photo by Reagan Hoverman