2021 Sauk Rapids Graduation Tab

20 21

Senior KEEPSAKE

Sauk Rapids-Rice HIGH SCHOOL

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Sauk Rapids-Rice CLASS OF 2021 Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony June 1, 6:00 p.m. at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center 1204 Fourth Ave. S., St. Cloud Class flower: Beige Rose Class color: Indigo & Beige Class motto: “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”

- Booker T. Washington All students in the senior class were offered the opportunity to be featured in this keepsake. Inside this special keepsake are all students who chose to be featured.

Congratulations Congratula Co ongratulatio o n ggratulatio ngratulation r atula tu tulat ulati l a tio ons o n s to ns t o all Storm

Graduates!

2021 20 021 has been a year to remember, may it alw always remind us that no one is in charge of your happiness but you!

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C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S

best wishes class of 2021

(320) 252-9972 Fax (320) 253-4160 1428 2nd St. No., PO Box 660 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

Jackson Ackerman

Parents: Chuck and Linda Ackerman School activities: Football, basketball, baseball and track & field.

Future plans: Attend Central Lakes Community College to get my generals done as well as play football.

Allie Ackerman

Parents: Mitch and Tasha Ackerman School activities: FFA, clay target and student council.

Future plans: Attend University of Wisconsin-River Falls for animal science-meat animals and food science and technology.

Sarah Anderson

Parents: Erik Anderson and Aimee Anderson School activities: Dance and Minnesota Honor Society.

Future plans: Attend the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to study communication sciences and disorders.

Tiernan Atteberry

Parents: Rick and Jen School activities: Hockey and tennis.

Future plans: Study criminal justice at St. Cloud State University and become a police officer.

Tabara Barry

Parents: Sarah Drake Future plans: I plan to go to Augsburg University in the fall.

Jared Bentrud

Parents: Dave and Beth Bentrud School activities: Crosscountry, track & field, class officer, student council, DECA and Storm Leaders.

Future plans: Attend University of TennesseeKnoxville and major in economics with a concentration of international business.

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CONGRATS CLASS OF 2021

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Steven Baker CPA, Corina Schlichting CPA

www.saukrapidsherald.com | 2021 Senior Keepsake • Page 3

214 2nd Ave N | Sauk Rapids | 320.281.5713 Jakub Blum

Parents: Todd and Magdalena Blum School activities: Adapted soccer, adapted floor hockey, adapted softball and school safety team.

Future plans: Attend Bridges program and then attend St. Cloud State University for a degree in political science.

Allison Burk

Parents: Jason and Brenda Burk Future plans: Attend East Carolina University for hospitality management.

Drew Burling

Parents: Adam and Janel Burling School activities: Band, choir, drama, Project for Teens, leadership team, speech and chamber choir.

Future plans: Attend University of MinnesotaMankato for music education and a Spanish minor to become a high school theatre and drama director.

Rock on Graduates!

Be bold, be courageous, be your best.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to the Graduating Class of 2021!

Ceairra Burris

Grace Burski

Parents: Jessica Holloway Parents: Rick and Sheila Future plans: Travel the world Burski and make money.

School activities: Softball and prom committee.

Future plans: Attend University of Minnesota Duluth.

I am majoring in graphic design with a studio emphasis and minoring in photography.

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6 am-6 pm & Sat.-Sun. 7 am-6 pm www.rockcreekcoffeehouse.com Page 4 • 2021 Senior Keepsake | www.saukrapidsherald.com

Allyson Carstensen-Boe

Parents: Bob Boe and Brenda Carstensen-Boe School activities: Dance, concert band, marching band and Minnesota Honor Society.

Future plans: Attend Minnesota State UniversityMoorhead for speech language pathology.

Calvin Comstock

Parents: Ryan Comstock and Miranda Habiger School activities: Hockey.

Future plans: Real estate business and marketing in college.

Kody Duffy

Parents: Norb and Brenda Duffy, David Rosa School activities: Tennis and choir.

Future plans: Moving to Florida with my family and going to college in Fort Myers for music production.

Tiffany Duong

Parents: Thai Duong, Cindy Duong School activities: Upward Bound.

Future plans: Attend the University of Minnesota to major in business and marketing education.

Jaide Dvorak

Parents: Aaron and Brenda Dvorak Future plans: Attend Ridgewater College in Hutchinson for photography and design.

Carter Eckblad

Parents: Josh Eckblad and Kayla Steil School activities: DECA and concert band.

Future plans: Going to University of Minnesota-Duluth for business management.

We know what we are, but know not what we may be.

Congratulations

Kody

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We are so proud of the hard work you put forth to graduate with your AA Degree & High School Diploma.

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Love, Mom, Dad, Norb & Skyler

Congratulatins,

Calvin!

So happy to share in the excitement of your graduation day, and so very proud of you!!

Love you, Mom & Cody

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Owen Chilson

Parents: Kent Chilson, Angela Chilson School activities: Soccer, swim & dive and track & field.

Future plans: Army National Guard.

www.saukrapidsherald.com | 2021 Senior Keepsake • Page 5

Micaela Elwood

Parents: Andy and Pennie Elwood School activities: art club and drama.

Future plans: My future plans are to become an art teacher at an elementary school.

Jace Erickson

Parents: Cory and Magen Hansen, and Angelo Camara School activities: Football.

Future plans: Attend Central Lakes College in Brainerd in the fall.

Jaeden Faundeen

Parents: Trevor and Meghan Faundeen School activities: Robotics.

Future plans: I am interested in pursuing a career as a pharmacist or a lab technician.

Justus Floren

Parents: Josh and Amy Floren School activities: Volleyball, soccer (12th grade), gymnastics, track & field, Link Crew, Minnesota Honor Society and Storm Leaders.

Future plans: Attend College of St. Benedict to major in nursing and minor in spanish.

I will also be participating in track and field.

Nathan Ford

Parents: Dan and Kim Ford School activities: Culinary team, theatre, Project For Teens, Link Crew, drama club and knitting club.

Future plans: Attend Brigham Young University to get a degree in entrepreneurship management. After college, I intend to open a restaurant.

Alexandra Freihammer

Parents: Veronica Freihammer (grandmother), Trent Freihammer (father), Trevis Freihammer (uncle) School activities: Math league, Green Team, Portrait of a Graduate, Minnesota Honor Society and FFA. Future plans: Attend St. Olaf College to study mathematics and potentially focus on engineering studies.

Jackson Go be great!

Love, Mom & Dad! Adyson Froiland

ns, Congratulatio !

21 Class of 20

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Parents: Erik and Aby Froiland School activities: Soccer and basketball.

Future plans: I plan to study elementary education and special education at North Dakota State University.

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229 Stearns Dr. Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 Page 6 • 2021 Senior Keepsake | www.saukrapidsherald.com

Elijah Grabinski

Parents: Michael and Jes Grabinski School activities: Soccer, swim and dive, Storm Leadership and Link Crew.

Future plans: Attend college, possibly diving.

Jackson Hebler

Parents: Larry and Amy Hebler School activities: Football, Hockey and Baseball Future plans: I have started a paid internship program in HVAC with JBerd Construction

Freihammer named Senior works hard to graduate top of her class

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Alexandra Freihammer did not set out to be valedictorian.

“I just wanted to challenge myself,” she said of studying hard and taking advanced courses. “If you’re going to do something, you might as well give 100%.”

After years of dedication to academics, including countless hours of homework, Freihammer has graduated at the top of her senior class of 324 students.

The class of 2021 will graduate from Sauk Rapids-Rice High School June 1.

Freihammer will give the valedictory address.

valedictorian

Freihammer, who lives in Rice, has earned a cumulative GPA of 4.343. Even though she loves working with numbers, that one surprised her.

“I was a little shocked,” she said.

It would not have been possible, Freihammer acknowledged, to achieve straight-As throughout high school without support from her family and teachers.

“They were very supportive,” she said. “They gave me the room I needed to be able to do it.”

Freihammer is grateful for the education she received at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School.

“It’s definitely a good place to meet people – a bunch of people with different interests and goals,” she said. “A good environment to learn in.”

Math and science are Freihammer’s favorite subjects.

She

“I just wa myself. If nted to challenge somethin you’re going to d o g, you m give 100%ight as well .”

- Alexandr a Freiham mer

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2021!

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Alexandra Freihammer, of Rice, is valedictorian of the 2021 Sauk RapidsRice High School graduating class.

finds them interesting, challenging and full of variety.

“With math (classes), I like going in and not knowing what to expect,” she said.

“Then, you leave knowing how to do something you never thought you would.”

Her favorite math class is calculus, which she took both her junior and senior years. Her favorite science classes were biology and physics. She especially enjoyed classes with language arts teacher Janice Lefebvre and math teacher Chuck Kruger.

Freihammer earned college credits through St. Cloud State University’s Senior to Sophomore program on the high school campus as well as advanced placement courses.

She devotes time to doing homework. She took several challenging classes during her junior year which made her allotted time to studying material and completing homework more intense, she said.

Freihammer is a member of the Minnesota Honor Society. At school, she participated in math league, the Green Team, the Portrait of a Graduate committee and FFA. Math league was her favorite school activity. She is grateful to the members who mentored her.

Freihammer lives on a small hobby farm with her paternal grandmother, Veronica

Freihammer. She is the daughter of Trent Freihammer.

In FFA, she enjoyed learning about small animal veterinary science and forestry.

Freihammer has also dabbled in the arts. She enjoys photography and is a volunteer photographer for the humane society. Combining her passion for being behind the lens with her love of animals has been rewarding. She also enjoys being outdoors, especially kayaking and biking.

This fall, Freihammer will attend St. Olaf College in Northfield to major in math with a pre-engineering concentration. She is undecided on a career field but has her sight set on something that makes a difference and combines math and science.

With just a few months until she moves into her dormitory, she is both excited and nervous for college. She will strive to maintain excellent grades and looks forward to meeting new people.

www.saukrapidsherald.com | 2021 Senior Keepsake • Page 7

Noah Hackett

Parents: Shawn and Judy Hackett School activities: Student council and Minnesota Honor Society.

Future plans: Attend Grand Canyon University and study nursing.

Anja Hanson

Parents: Erik and Denise Hanson Future plans: Attend St. Cloud Technical & Community College.

I would like to use animal therapy to help special needs children in the future.

Taylor Helget

Parents: Jared and Danelle Helget Future plans: I plan to major in nursing. I am undecided as to what college.

Tucker Hendrickson

Parents: Tom Hendrickson and Trish Hendrickson School activities: Football swim & dive, Minnesota Honor Society and DECA. Future plans: Attend Colorado School of Mines for chemical engineering.

CLASS OF Congratulations

Jayden

Joseph Hoeschen

Parents: Tad and Stacie Hoeschen School activities: Football, wrestling and DECA. Future plans: Attend Central Lakes College where I will go for my associate’s degree and play football.

Dakota Hoeschen

Parents: Jeff, Angie School activities: Concert band.

Future plans: Go to school for game design, join a design team and produce games people enjoy.

2021

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Daniel Hovland

Parents: Dale, Roberta Future plans: Attend St. Cloud State University for pre-physical therapy.

We are so proud of you for working so hard.

We love you and can’t wait to see you do great things.

- Love, Mom, Brian, Tyler, Ashlynn, Ally, Kylee & Bri

Page 8 • 2021 Senior Keepsake | www.saukrapidsherald.com

Chloe Janski

Parents: Scott and Jacki Janski Future plans: Attend St.Cloud State University and earn my degree in biomedical science/ biology. Then, continuing on to work in the animal medical field.

Austin Jansky

Parents: Travess and Stacy Jansky School activities: Soccer, track & field, and leadership.

Future plans: Attend North Dakota State University.

Emma Johnson

Parents: Filip and Jackie Johnson School activities: Student council, Minnesota Honor Society, band, choir, Principal’s Cabinet, Link Crew and pit orchestra.

Future plans: Attend the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, to study theology, Spanish and gerontology.

Margaret Julius

Parents: Matt and Jennifer Julius School activities: Speech, art club, drama and marching band.

Future plans: Attend St. Cloud State University in the fall to major in art and chemistry.

Ava Juntunen-Novak

Parents: Josh Novak and Nicole Juntunen School activities: Dance, track & field, Minnesota Honor Society and Link Crew.

Future plans: Attending the College of St. Benedict next year to major in psychology and minor in sociology. I am also thinking about joining the CSB track team to continue that passion.

Rebekah Kimman

Parents: Duane and Michelle Kimman School activities: Volleyball, math league, Minnesota Honor Society and prom committee.

Future plans: Attend Old Dominion University and major in biology on the pre-medicine track with a minor in Spanish.

Kobe Knettel

Parents: Jason Knettel and Rachael Ferry School activities: Student council, DECA, swim & dive, lacrosse, Upward Bound and Link Crew.

Future plans: Attend University of MinnesotaTwin Cities, majoring in environmental policy on the pre-law track.

Ella Kockler

Parents: Shawn and Kim Kockler School activities: Miracle League Baseball and Just for Kix adaptive dance (outside of school activities).

Future plans: Attend the Bridges program in the fall.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

Ashley Konietzko

Parents: Guy and Brenda Konietzko School activities: Soccer, DECA, Nordic skiing, Minnesota Honor Society and Link Crew.

Future plans: Attend Northern Arizona University to pursue an exercise science degree, then to graduate school for occupational therapy.

Bradley Kothman

Parents: Brian and Jill Kothman Future plans: Study computer programming at St. Cloud State University and further invest time developing games.

Abigail Kramer

Parents: Jason Kramer and Penny Pesta Future Plans: Attend college and travel as much as I can.

Ali Kremer

Parents: Wayne and Ann Britz, and Peter Kremer Schoola: Cross-country and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Future plans: I plan on completing my general courses at St. Cloud State University.

I later hope to transfer somewhere and major in radiological sciences.

Lillian Kuhn

Parents: Brian Kuhn and Nicolle Kuhn School activities: Art club, speech, Green Team, Storm Leaders, knitting club and Minnesota Honor Society.

Future plans: Attend Bemidji State University to major in wildlife biology.

Caleb Larson

Parents: Scott and Michelle Larson Future plans: Become a United States Marine.

www.saukrapidsherald.com | 2021 Senior Keepsake • Page 9

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Page 10 • 2021 Senior Keepsake | www.saukrapidsherald.com

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES

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JoAnn Evenson

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Parents: Todd and Renee School activities: Robotics.

Future plans: Work and attend school.

Libertey Mayse

Parents: Josh and Lani Mayse School activities: Softball and yearbook.

Future plans: Major in social work at St. Cloud State University.

Reilly McCormick

Parents: Cindy McCormick Knutsen, Jay Knutsen, Dennis McCormick School activities: Miracle League Ball, Special Olympics swimming, bowling, Sta-Fit Gym, Camp Friendship Future plans: Attend Sauk Rapids-Rice High School’s transitional program and to continue participating in all of the activities I enjoy.

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Blake Merriman

Parents: Dylan Merriman, Sheila Merriman School activities: Hockey.

Future plans: Marines.

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Page 12 • 2021 Senior Keepsake | www.saukrapidsherald.com

Samantha Michael

Parents: James and Jean Michael Future plans: Bridges program.

Alexander Miskowic

Parents: Tom and Karmin Miskowic School activities: Bowling club.

Future plans: I will take part in the Bridges program, go to school for animation and continue bowling.

Omar Moalim

Parents: Masbal Ismail Future plans: Attend college and work.

Miranda Mohs

Parents: Jason and Megan Mohs Future plans: Attend Central Lakes College in Brainerd for my nursing degree.

Ryan Moilanen

Parents: Mike Moilanen, Ann Moilanen School activities: Soccer, basketball and track & field.

Future plans: Attend North Dakota State University for engineering in the fall.

Rock Moliga

Parents: Sharna Moliga School activities: Football.

Future plans: Plan to travel out of state for college.

Zoey Montury

Parents: Jeremy Pick and Apryl Montury Future plans: I am going to attend the Bridges program at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School.

Once I graduate from there, I am going to go to college.

Tessa Moulzolf

Parents: Harvey and Tammy Moulzolf Future plans: Attend St. Cloud State University and pursue a career in the medical field.

Be bold, be courageous, be your best.

Congratulations

ROCK We are so proud of the man you’ve become!

www.saukrapidsherald.com | 2021 Senior Keepsake • Page 13

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GRADUATES

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Maria Nathe

Parents: Tony and Anastasia Nathe School activities: Secretary of Minnesota Honor Society, Postsecondary education option and prom committee.

Future plans: Attend College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph to earn my bachelor’s degree.

Caleb Neeser

Parents: Gary and Mary Neeser School activities: Baseball.

Future plans: Attend St. Cloud Technical & Community College for carpentry.

Ella Nelson

Parents: Derek and Renee Nelson School activities: Marching band, drama and Minnesota Honor Society.

Future plans: Attend University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to earn a degree in anthropology.

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Madeline Neussendorfer

Parents: Daniel Neussendorfer and Monique Neussendorfer School activities: Band, choir, marching band, pep band, jazz band, fall/spring musical, spring theater, one act play, pit orchestra, Minnesota Honor Society and Link Crew.

Future plans: Attend Minnesota State UniversityMankato to major in nursing.

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Page 14 • 2021 Senior Keepsake | www.saukrapidsherald.com

Britney Nieters

Parents: Roger and Candace Nieters Future plans: Attend college.

Musab Nuh

Parents: Mohamed Dahir and Amaal Yusuf School activities: DECA, student council, principal’s cabinet, cross-country, Minnesota Honor Society, math league, Link Crew and science bowl.

Future plans: Major in bioengineering or another life science related major or go down a pre-med track at a university.

Ethan Opsahl

Parents: Mike and Tracy Opsahl School activities: Football, basketball and track & field.

Future plans: Attend St. John’s University to continue my education and play basketball.

Nick Ortloff

Parents: Aaron and Lorie Ortloff School activities: Clay target.

Future plans: Attend St. Cloud Technical & Community College for a degree in mechatronics engineering.

Jenalyn Ostendorf

Parents: Amos and Heather Ostendorf School activities: Speech, drama, Minnesota Honor Society, Project for Teens, Green Team and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Future plans: Attend University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to major in plant science with a minor in entomology.

Madison Ostman

Parents: Tim and Jessica Ostman School activities: Dance.

Future plans: Attend college and major in nursing.

CLASS OF Congratulations

Jaiden Parker

Parents: Mike and Teri Parker School activities: Yearbook and prom committee.

Future plans: Attend North Dakota State University for my generals.

Veronica Peacock

Parents: Tracy and Michelle Peacock School activities: Dance and student council.

Future plans: I plan on going to the University of Minnesota Duluth to continue my education.

2021 Congratulations Graduates!

on your graduation!

We are so very proud of you

Madi.

We know you

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will go on to do great things!

We love you so very much!

-Mom, Dad, Caden, Nana, Papa and Grandma June

Congrats, graduates!

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www.saukrapidsherald.com | 2021 Senior Keepsake • Page 15

Bella Peplinski

Parents: Mike and Jen Peplinski School activities: Dance.

Future plans: Attend Utah Valley University to major in biology and minor in psychology. I also plan on dancing throughout college.

Brooke Petermeier

Parents: Kevin and Danette Petermeier School activities: Volleyball and softball.

Future plans: Attend St. Cloud Technical & Community College to study dental hygiene.

Bradyn Petrek

Parents: Tom Petrek, Kami Petrek School activities: DECA, Link Crew, Storm Leadership, Project for Teens, prom committee, track & field, Big Brothers Big Sisters and National Society of High School Scholars.

Future plans: Attend St. John’s University for a degree in business.

Kaelin Rainer

Parents: Jason and Krista Rainer School activities: Clay target and FFA. Future plans: Attend Alexandria Technical & Community College to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Bailey Reiter

Parents: Kevin and Dawn Reiter School activities: Soccer, hockey and Link Crew.

Future plans: Attend Grand Canyon University in Arizona and major in biology with an emphasis in pre-physican assistant.

Kaety Rainer

Parents: Jason and Krista Rainer School activities: FFA and clay target.

Future plans: Attend St. Cloud Technical & Community College for generals, attend University of Minnesota-Morris for pre-vet, and, finally, I am going to get my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at University of Minnesota- Twin Cities.

Ethan Retzer

Parents: Craig Retzer and Marcia Retzer School activities: Pro Learner Future plans: Attend Minnesota State UniversityMankato.

Aaron Reichard

Parents: Long Nguyen (Dad) and Helen Nguyen (stepmother), Sheila Johnson (mother) and Robert Johnson (step-father) School activities: Football, Minnesota Honor Society and band.

Future plans: Attend Gustavus Adolphus College and play football.

Tierney Rhodes

Parents: Brandon Rhodes and Robyn Pulisfer School activities: One act play and choir.

Future plans: To live life to the max.

Understand that one day you will have the power to make a difference, so use it well.

Page 16 • 2021 Senior Keepsake | www.saukrapidsherald.com

Madelyn Richards

Parents: Craig Richards and Tammy Richards School activities: Dance and Minnesota Honor Society.

Future plans: I plan to study at St. Cloud State University to become a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Shelby Salner-Meyer

Parents: Mike Dyre (Dad) and Kim Dyre (stepmom), Chrissy Salner (Mom) and C.J DeArmond (stepdad) School activities: Volleyball and basketball.

Future plans: Attend St.Cloud Technical & Community College to become a social worker.

Riley Saukkola

Parents: Jason and Shanna Saukkola School activities: Hockey and DECA. Future plans: Attend St. Cloud Technical & Community College for business management.

Anna Schave

Parents: Dave and Angi Schave School activities: Softball and Storm Leadership.

Future plans: I plan on going to college to pursue a degree in the dental field at St. Cloud Technical & Community it College.

Justin Scheeler

Parents: Jeremy and Bridget Scheeler School activities: FFA and clay target.

Future plans: Undecided at this time.

Hunter Scherbing

Parents: Jim and Steph Scherbing School activities: Participated in junior- and senior-year one act plays, “A Christmas Carol,” “Radium Girls” (canceled due to COVID-19), and “Shrek the Musical.”

Future plans: Attend Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Bridges program, get a part-time job and attend classes at St. Cloud State University.

Congratulations,

GRADUATES! Begin Your Story!

New beginnings. New chapters.

New adventures. New challenges.

Wishing the Class of 2021 a bright and wonderful future.

Achieve your goals at MSU Moorhead! mnstate.edu/apply | 877.678.6463

Minnesota State University Moorhead is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

www.saukrapidsherald.com | 2021 Senior Keepsake • Page 17

Salutatorian’s school experiences instill desire to serve others

Johnson to pay forward her teachers’ kindness, encouragement

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Emma Johnson is bidding farewell to Sauk Rapids-Rice High School with a fervent desire to serve others and to pay forward the kindness educators have shown her for 13 years.

On graduation day, Johnson will walk out the doors with everlasting gratitude for her school and community.

“I’m just so grateful that I live in Sauk Rapids, a place where I get a terrific education,” said Johnson, the daughter of Filip and Jackie. “I’m so grateful for everything that my family, friends and teachers do for me. I want to continue to get a good education so I, in turn, can help others.”

Johnson has been named salutatorian of Sauk Rapids-Rice’s class of 2021. She is honored to rank second highest in her graduating class of 324 students and to deliver the salutatory address at their June 1 commencement.

The straight-A student has earned a cumulative GPA of 4.304 but is humble about her academic accolades.

“I just want to make

it known how grateful I am to everyone who helped along the way,” Johnson said. “They’re the ones who deserve the credit, not me.”

SRR teaching staff, from preschool through 12th grade, go above and beyond to help students succeed, and the communities of Sauk Rapids and Rice value education, attested by their great school system, Johnson noted.

“There’s a lot of people who just care very deeply about students,” she said.

Throughout her high school career, Johnson worked hard to reciprocate their efforts by giving her all.

She learned the most through challenging experiences, which taught her time management and the importance of people she surrounded herself with.

“They help you, and you, in turn, help them,” she said.

Student councilor adviser Trisha Bemboom and Melissa Bloch have been Johnson’s mentors.

Johnson enjoys studying language and the arts, and participating in band and choir, where she plays flute

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Emma Johnson is salutatorian of the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School graduating class of 2021. The daughter of Filip and Jackie Johnson of Sauk Rapids, she has earned a cumulative GPA of 4.304 and plans to devote her life to serving others.

and sings soprano. She aspires to be fluent in Spanish.

She has participated in student council, the principal’s cabinet, the Link Crew, pit orchestra and the Minnesota Honor Society. She also crochets and loves being active outdoors.

Johnson earned college credits through St. Cloud State University’s Senior to Sophomore program on the high school campus, as well as advanced placement courses.

Maintaining exemplary grades throughout high school never comes easy, but the hard work has been worth it, and a valuable learning experience in and of itself, said Johnson, who is eager to use the knowledge and

Page 18 • 2021 Senior Keepsake | www.saukrapidsherald.com

life skills she gained at SRRHS to make a difference in the world.

She plans to attend The College of St. Scholastica to major in theology and Spanish and minor in gerontology, the study of aging.

“I feel excited for the next step,” she said.

Johnson wants to devote her life to serving others. Her dream is to join a Catholic order of sisters and one day, as a nun, work with elderly people in a Spanish-speaking country.

“My faith is very important to me,” she said. “It’s the foundation of my life.”

Her employment at Country Manor in Sartell fostered that dream of continuing to work with older adults.

The coronavirus

pandemic made Johnson’s junior and senior years of high school different than what she expected, but the adversity proved to be another learning experience, one that taught her to slow down, step back and look at life from a different angle.

“I’m a different person now – a more grateful person,” she said.

Johnson’s advice for underclassmen is: Do not get too stressed, or else you will miss the beauty in everyday life, and to pay attention to what matters most.

“At the end of the day, you’re not going to remember the tests you took; you’re going to remember the people you were with,” she said.

Emily Schloe

Parents: Eric and Lorianne Schloe School activities: Volleyball, basketball and choir.

Future plans: I plan to major in social work and minor in psychology at the University of North Dakota.

MaKenzi Schmitz

Parents: Mike and Amy Arseneau School activities: Volleyball and gymnastics.

Future plans: I plan to go to school for 12 years to be an anesthesiologist.

Morgan Schreifels

Parents: Earl and Sandra Schreifels School activities: Choir, volleyball and band.

Future plans: Attend St. Cloud State University in the fall for a major in social work with children and a minor in psychology.

Jayse Schreifels

Parents: Chuck and Andi Schreifels Future plans: Attend St. Cloud Technical & Community College for instrumentation and process control.

Emily Schreindl

Parents: Troy and Melissa Schreindl School activities: FFA and clay target.

Future plans: Attend St.Cloud State University for radiologic technology.

Ashlyn Schreiner

Parents: Quint Schreiner, Kate Schreiner School activities: FFA officer (secretary and reporter).

Future plans: Pursue a career in veterinary science and own a hobby farm.

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Denise Schultz

Parents: Delano and Doreen Schultz School activities: Softball and volleyball.

Future plans: Take time to explore artistic opportunities with the hopes that some day I can incorporate my love of art into a career.

Brynn Seaman

Parents: Darin and Shauna Seaman School activities: DECA, basketball, Link Crew, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and prom committee.

Future plans: Attend the University of St. Thomas to major in international business with a minor in Spanish.

Shjon Sertich

Parents: John and Heidi Sertich School activities: Hockey.

Future plans: Attend St. Cloud State University in the fall.

Alex Sevre

Parents: Kevin and Amy Sevre School activities: Marching band, cross-country and basketball.

Future plans: Attend St. Cloud Technical & Community College.

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Miaya Simon

Parents: Zach Uphus and April Simon School activities: Volleyball, Link Crew and wrestling manager.

Future plans: Attend University of North Dakota and major in accounting/business management.

Jordan Smith

Parents: Ryan and Jamie Smith Future plans: Attend St. Cloud State University to pursue a pre-chiropractic degree.

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Graduates Aidan Smith

Parents: Curt and Patti Smith School activities: Hockey and marching band.

Future plans: I plan to pursue a career in mechanical engineering and machining.

David Stamm

Parents: Lori Stamm School activities: FFA, caly target and band.

Future plans: Attend North Dakota State College of Science for the John Deere tech program.

Jayden Steinemann

Parents: Tony and Jen Steinemann School activities: Student council, Project for Teens, wrestling manager, choir, Link Crew and prom committee.

Future plans: Attend the College of St. Benedict for a degree in elementary education and early childhood.

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IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR! Allison Stiegel

Parents: Andy and Kirsten Stiegel School activities: Minnesota Honor Society, concert choir, chamber choir, swim & dive, boys swim & dive team manager Future plans: Attend University of Iowa this fall, double majoring in neuroscience and biochemistry with a minor in Spanish on the pre-physician assistant track.

Zoe Stier

Parents: Jason Stier, Nancy Van Zee School activities: Lacrosse, National Honor Society and student council.

Future plans: Attend College of St. Benedict to major in biology with an emphasis in pre-physician assistant.

Shelby Strassburg

Parents: Emmet Strassburg, Jessica Karsch-Strassburg School activities: Dance in Becker for Just For KIX. Future plans: Traveling the world for a year and then going to college.

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Claire Updike

Rees Vannurden

Parents: Dave Updike, Rhonda Gilberts School activities: Chief editor of the yearbook.

Future plans: Major in nursing at St. Cloud State University and go into a career of neonatology nursing.

Parents: Chris and AnneMarie Vannurden Future plans: Attend St. Cloud Technical & Community College for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning program.

Shelby Witucki

Andrew Wollak

Parents: Mandi and Gabriel Loxterkamp, Jesse Witucki Future plans: Complete my journey of becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Ellyse Von Eschen

Parents: Todd and Tina Von Eschen School activities: Volleyball, prom committee and yearbook.

Future plans: Attend college for generals.

Alyssa Waytashek

Parents: Scott and Cindy Waytashek School activities: Minnesota Honor Society, yearbook and prom committee.

Future plans: Attend Lake Superior College and participate in the radiology technician program.

Jack Weber

Parents: Steve and Jill Weber School activities: Indoor drumline, marching band and clay target.

Future plans: Attend St. Cloud State University majoring in cybersecurity.

Riley Weinand

Parents: Mike and Heidi Weinand School activities: Hockey and baseball.

Future plans: Attend St. Cloud Technical & Community College.

All students in the senior class were offered the Parents: Tom Zaske and Kelly Parents: Trent and Louise opportunity to be featured Cane School activities: Swim & dive School activities: Swim & and student council. in this keepsake. Inside this dive.

Future plans: Attend Gustavus special keepsake are all students Future plans: Attend Adolphus College to study who chose to be featured.

University of Wisconsin- Eau exercise science and continue Maya Zaske

Madeline Ziegler

Parents: Jeff and Tracy Wollak School activities: Football, baseball and wrestling.

Future plans: Continuing my baseball career at Gustavus Adolphus College or St. Cloud Claire for elementary education. my swimming career.

Technical & Community College and study business and marketing management.

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To the Class of 2021: While your graduation will likely be very different from others, let it be a sign of your uniqueness.

Let your unwavering strength and perseverance carry you through these uncharted waters. Together we are STORM strong!

- From our family to yours

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