Lonsdale Area Graduation 2026

Parents:

Berg, Elliot

Beulke, Carter

Parents: Joshua and Pamela Beulke Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Minnesota State University, Mankato for Commercial

Parents:

Blaschko, Landen

Parents: Jason and Mindy Blaschko

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Hennepin Tech - Eden Prairie for Small Engine Repair.

am planning on continuing in school.

for Dental Hygiene.

Daleiden, Sean

Parents: James and Elizabeth Daleiden

Future plans: I am planning on working and not continuing with school. I have already started my career in woodworking and plan on continuing with this company.

Parents:

Decker, Alaina

Parents: Marie

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school.

Erickson, Breanna

Parents: Joel Erickson and Nicole Erickson

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

Doerr, Maxwell

Parents: Jerry and Megan Krenik

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. South Central College.

Future

I am planning on

and not continuing with school.

Dresow, Alaina

Parents: Kevin and Stacy Dresow

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. South Central Community College for Livestock Production.

Espinoza,

Parents: Daniel and Jennifer Espinoza

Future plans: I am/have enlisting/ enlisted in the military. Army National Guard (Justice program or Medical).

Future

TheFuture Looks Bright

Fitterer, Grant

Parents: Alan Fitterer and Cheryl Fitterer

Future plans: I am/have enlisting/ enlisted in the military. Air Force.

Glockner, Nathan

Parents: Kristen and Andy Glockner Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Disney University, Orlando.

Fleek, Lucy

Parents: Ann and Matthew Fleek Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Minnesota State University.

Gogerty, Kaylee

Parents: Stacy and Kyle Gogerty Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. St. Catherine’s for Nursing.

Flores, Rolando

Parents: Rolando Flores, Alejandra Figueroa

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Texas for civil engineering.

Gonzalez-Ortiz, Jose

Parents: Jose Gonzalez, Esther Ortiz Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. South Central College for Automotive service.

Parents: Jeff

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Undecided for

Future

Fossum, Sadie

Parents: Amy and Jeremy Alberg, Josh and Chastity Fossum

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Bemidji State University for Nursing.

Grunow, Brandon

Parents: Amy Grunow and Anthony Grunow

Future plans: I am planning on working and not continuing with school. Manufacturing.

Parents: Mark and Jessica

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Trade school for a trade.

Fournier, Jacob

Parents: Dave and Linda Fournier

Future plans: I’m planning to work in construction for a year or two while I figure out what I want to do long-term.

Haecherl, Taylor

Parents: Josh and Maria Haecherl Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Winona State University for Biology/Radiology.

Parents: Brent and Jennifer Himmerick

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Aiken, South Carolina for Pre-Vet Biology.

Holicky, Mitchell

Parents: Kevin and Shannon Holicky Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Dakota County Technical College for Electrical Construction and Maintenance.

Gessler, Hannah

Parents: Heidi and Terry Gessler

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. South Central Community College - North Mankato for Early Childhood Education.

Parents:

Future

am

Jelinek, Allen

Parents: Matt Jelinek, Jolene Schultz

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. MSU Mankato for Computer Science.

Keltgen, Audrey

Parents: Theresa Keltgen and John Keltgen

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. MSU Mankato for Elementary Education.

Jirik, Emma DeGroot

Parents: Sara and John Jirik

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Minnesota for Agribusiness.

Kielty, Nathan

Parents: Brad Kielty, Kelli Kielty/ Shane Williams

Future plans: I am planning on working and not continuing with school. Potentially automobile.

Johnson, River

Parents: Jacob Johnson and Kelli Spencer

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. University of St. Thomas in St. Paul for Elementary Education.

Parents: Julie and Charles Krocak Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. MSU Mankato for Nursing.

Future

Jones, Isabella

Parents: James and Jennifer Jones

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. La Crosse, Wisconsin for Exercise and Sport Science with a Kinesiology emphasis.

Parents:

Future plans: I am planning on working and not continuing with school. Self-employed small engine

Jones, Jacob

Parents: Jim and Jen Jones

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Alexandria Tech School for Welding and Metal Fabrication.

Parents:

Future

Future

Kaplan, Lily

Parents: Nick and Tricia Kaplan Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Minnesota State University, Mankato for Nursing.

am

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school.

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Dakota County Technical College for

Miller-Gill, Kaytlyn

Parent: Cathy Miller

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. University of Minnesota Rochester for Sonography.

Moreno, Ovidio

Parents: Yvette Ortiz and Jose Moreno

Future plans: Plan on working for a bit then go to school for law or real estate.

Miller, Keira

Parents: Therasa and Isaac Miller

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Miami, Florida for Marine Biology.

Motz, Lorraine

Parents: Matthew and Andrea Motz

Future plans: Nursing at South Central College.

Moore II, Jason

Parents: Jason Moore

Future plans: I am planning on working and not continuing with school. Not sure yet.

Neubauer, Jacob

Parents: Angie and Dan Neubauer

Future plans: I am planning on working and continuing school. Business Management at Blue Sky Mechanical, LLC.

Parents: Chris and Emily Onken

Future

Rotter, Jules

Parents: John Rotter and Marisa

Rotter

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. University of Minnesota Twin Cities - Carlson School of Management for Business Analytics and Marketing.

Morales Mendez, Melody

Parents: Maria Mendez and Edgar Morales

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Gustavus for Nursing.

Nhem, Jaylen

Parents: David and Savady Nhem

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management for Finance.

Orozco Lara, Charlie

Parents: Juan Carlos Orozco Bedolla and Maria Guadalupe Lara Lara

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Mankato for Electrician.

Rutt, Dylan

Parents: Joe and Jenny Rutt

Future plans: I am planning on working and not continuing with school. Ti-Zack Concrete.

Morales, Eli

Parent: Arelis Morales

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Mankato for Psychology (Army).

Novotny, Alana

Parents: Brad Novotny and Michelle Boudreau

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Riverland Community College, Austin for Radiology.

Paz Basurto, Oscar

Parents: Griselda Basurto and Oscar Paz

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. University of Minnesota Twin Cities for Chemistry.

Sánchez Oros, Tania

Parents: Verónica Oros Ramírez and Jesús Sánchez Viveros

Future plans: I am planning on working and not continuing with school. Culinary Arts at a restaurant.

Moravec, Hunter

Parents: Timm and Renee Moravec

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Le Center for Welding.

Sayachack, Nathan

Parents: Somsanit Sayachack and Deborah Dorsey

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. South Central Faribault for Accounting.

Schroeder, Mason

Parents: Chris and Chrissie Schroeder

Future plans: I am planning on working and not continuing with school. Mechanics and cars.

Schley, Emily

Parents: Chad and Kit Schley, Renee and Travis Nichols

Future plans: Working and getting my education through my work to become a head teacher at a daycare center.

Silda, Eleanora

Parents: Sherrie Silda and Christopher Silda

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Minnesota State University, Mankato for Visual Arts.

Schmidt, Chase

Parents: Anne and Tim Schmidt

Future plans: Receive my CDL and drive truck for T&A Trucking.

Parents: Russ and Carrie Simon Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. South Central

for Welding and Machining.

Future

Future

Schmiesing, Ella

Parents: John and Jennifer Schmiesing

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. St. Catherine University for Exercise and Sports Science on the pre-OT track.

Stans, Jesse

and Bill

Future plans: I am planning on working and not continuing with school. Don’t know yet.

Thompson, Lucas

Parents: Zach and Tara Thompson

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Hennepin Tech for Occupational Plumbing Certification.

Future

Schoenbauer, Branko

Parents: Sheila and Greg Schoenbauer

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Concordia College Moorhead for Flute Performance.

Schroeder, Marissa

Parents: Kristin Pribyl, Nathan Schroeder

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. South Central College Mankato for Nursing.

Future

Easton

Parents: Scott and Brandee

Torkelson

Future plans: I am planning on working and not continuing with school. Mechanic.

I am

on

Parents: Randy and Sara Witte

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Dakota County Technical College for Auto Body Collision Program.

Parents: Heather and Collen Zehnder

Future plans: I am planning on continuing in school. Michigan Technological University for Ecological Engineering.

The symbols of graduation

(METRO) After many years of time spent toiling classrooms and study halls, many students welcome graduation. Graduating high school or college is a major milestone. It is associated with many symbols that have endured for some time. As graduates prepare to receive their diplomas or degrees, they might be curious to know what’s behind some notable symbols of graduation ceremonies.

• Gown: The gown is a customary garment worn on graduation day. The Georgia Institute of Technology says gowns historically were heavy robes worn by medieval scholars for warmth in the largely unheated universities. Today, graduates don gowns not for warmth (as most graduation ceremonies take place in the spring and summer), but to symbolize the level of degree being conferred.

• Cap: A cap, also known as a mortarboard, often goes

hand-in-hand with a graduation gown. Historians surmise the flat, square shape represents either a mason’s mortarboard to symbolize hard work. Others say it may be the shape of a book to signify academic achievement.

• Tassel: The turning of the tassel is a relatively modern tradition. The tassel, which is attached to the mortarboard, initially was an ornament but has since evolved into a traditional element. The Honor Society says the practice of moving the tassel from one side of the cap to the other symbolizes completion of this important academic milestone. Typically, graduates move the tassel from the right to the left. The right side represents the student being a candidate, while the left means he or she is now a graduate. While some sources date the tradition to the early 1900s, the current tradition has been traced to the 1960s and 1970s.

• Cords and stoles: Graduates may adorn their graduation garb with other elements. Cords are twisted ropes that often represent high grade point averages or participation in honor societies. Stoles are satin scarves that often denote participation in specific organizations or a student’s cultural heritage, according to the University of Colorado Boulder.

• Diploma: A diploma is a legal document. Historically, diplomas were written on thin sheepskin and rolled into tubes. Students may receive a prop diploma on graduation day or empty diploma folio. Later on the actual document will be mailed or made available for pickup.

• Rings: Some graduates

Graduation by the numbers

(METRO) Graduation is a momentous occasion in the lives of young adults and their families. Reaching this milestone is a testament to students’ hard work, patience and perseverance and worthy of celebration. Here is a look at some notable figures regarding graduation in both the United States and Canada.

• According to Higher Ed Dive, U.S. high school graduates were projected to peak at 3.9 million in 2025 before declining. College graduation rates continue to hover around 61 percent.

• The high school completion rate in Canada is 88 percent, while the national firsttime graduation rate is 84.3, according to Statistics Canada.

have opted to purchase class rings. Students will often wear the ring with the school name facing them while still a student. Upon graduation, the ring will be turned so the name faces outward, presenting the completed coursework to the world.

• Commencement speech: The word ‘commencement’ means ‘beginning,’ which is fitting for a graduation ceremony. Instead of marking the end of something, commencement is for students who are about to start a new chapter. Graduation rituals and symbols have endured through the ages, and are likely something students and their families will encounter as they prepare for the ceremony to come.

• According to 2021 census data, Canada leads the G7 group of industrialized democracies with 57.5 percent of its working-age population (ages 25 to 64) holding a college or university credential.

• According to the National Center for Education Statistics, during the 2021-22 school year, the U.S. average adjusted cohort graduation rate for public high school students was 87 percent. That marked 7 percentage point increase over a decade earlier.

• More than 61 percent of all college graduates are women, according to the Education Data Initiative.

• National Collegiate Athletic Association athletes maintain high graduation success rates, with 90 percent or better for all women’s sports and 79 percent or better for men’s, says the NCAA.

• By 2041, demographic shifts among graduates are likely. Hispanic public high school graduates are expected to grow to 36 percent of the graduating class, while white graduates are projected to decline by 26 percent, according to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.