NRHEG Class of ‘25 graduates 55

They stood together for the final time.

One by one, they walked out into the world.

The 55 members of the NRHEG class of 2025 graduated Sunday afternoon in a packed high school gymnasium in New Richland.

Principal Grant Berg got the show rolling as he lightheartedly welcomed and thanked NRHEG board members, faculty, staff, parents, guardians, and all those who made graduation possible.

Berg said he wanted to keep the introduction short and sweet, and he did. “Today is their (the graduates’) day. Thank you.”

Berg introduced the NRHEG choir which performed “This is Our Day” arranged by Masa Fukada.

Class speakers Cole Hutchens, Harbor Cromwell and Grace Starman, elected by their peers, addressed the group’s shared experiences in elementary grades, secondary school, and looking toward the future.

“If my kindergarten self could see me up here today, I think he’d have just two questions,” Hutchens began. “Did school really go that fast? And “Have the Vikings finally won a Superbowl?’

“I remember a time when the biggest decisions we had to make were things like what color folder to use or what your friend was trying to trade you for lunch,” Hutchens continued. “Life was simple and we were just getting started. 

Hutchens shared fond moments of elementary school through high school, including memories of football, climbing snow hills, an Eagle Bluff trip, the Covid pandemic and much more.

“All of this led us here today,” Hutchens concluded. “We have all made a difference in each other these past twelve-ish years. If we keep looking back in the past, we will miss the future… With that being said, I will leave you all with this quote from Aidan Schlaak’s favorite singer, Adele, ‘For this is the end.’”

Cromwell was the second speaker and talked about the significance of senior year. He talked about the present, ‘“today.”

“Standing here now, knowing this is the last time the class of 2025 will be in the same place, makes me miss the past, but more than that, it makes me cherish the memories we’ve made together,” Cromwell stated. 

“Senior year was a rollercoaster. There were late nights spent finishing assignments, or just staying up talking because we knew time was running out… There were big wins— like beating tough competition and passing tests we didn’t think we’d pass. And there were hard losses too– games that didn’t go our way, plans that fell through, friendships that changed, and the quiet realization that some things won’t ever be the same.”

Cromwell said student activities taught him that being a leader isn’t just a title, “It meant learning to lead with heart, to listen with respect and to keep going even when things didn’t go as planned.

“To the class of 2025– thank you for the laughs, the lessons, and the memories,” Cromwell closed. “We may be going our separate ways, but this year, this time, and this class will always be a part of who we are.” 

The final class speaker was Starman

“Saying goodbye to each other is not the end of the story, it is instead the beginning of the next chapter of our lives,” she said. “Today, June 1, 2025, we embark on our next step… The day we’ve dreamed of since kindergarten is finally here, and we’ve achieved that dream. We have all walked the same path until now. That path goes 56 different ways and we will all walk our own.”

Starman said leaving behind the comfort and security of assigned seating and daily routines may be a little scary, but in exchange graduates earn their freedom to discover who they are without the walls of high school defining who they are. 

“As we move on to the rest of our lives, we will face challenges that we feel utterly unprepared for–but we are ready for them,” Starman ended. “Keep the memories close. They’re your reminder of how far you’ve come. Don’t be afraid to move forward. The world is waiting. You’re more ready than you know.”

Berg introduced the NRHEG band, which played the traditional “last song together,” a composition played sometime during the seniors’ career, and one they selected as a favorite. 

This year’s choice was “Jupiter: Bringer of Jollity” arranged by Gustav Holst.

Gisele Cazares led the parent appreciation statement, after which graduates came down off the stage and delivered flowers to the parent figures in their lives.

Following the parent appreciation, a compilation of videos and photos from the class of ‘25 was shared. 

Berg introduced salutatorian Tayla Sandry and valedictorian Sierra Misgen. 

Short biographies of both these honored students appear in this week’s Star Eagle.

School board members Amy Ihrke and Kelly Delacruz, alongside superintendent Michael Meihak and Principal Berg, presented diplomas to the graduates.

When finished, Berg told graduates, "It's time,” and asked the graduates to stand and move the tassels on their caps.

“You are now officially graduated,” said Berg. “I want to congratulate all of the graduates and thank everyone for their attendance. I wish you all the best.”