by April Scheinoha
Editor
A total of 126 Lincoln High School students crossed a stage, obtained their diplomas and shifted their ’26 tassels Friday, May 22 at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls.
“This moment marks not only the end of one chapter, but the beginning of many new journeys and opportunities still to come. It’s hard to believe that the day we have talked about for so long is finally here,” said Sophia Tougas.
With fellow graduate Ellie McDermott, Tougas welcomed attendees to the ceremony. McDermott said, “No matter where life takes us, the lessons and experiences we gained at Lincoln High School will stay with us.”
Four of the other student speakers, Ainsley Fincher, Casey Nelson, Wyatt Nelson and Briley Olsonawski, spoke about the many changes their class experienced. Two principals, three deans, a new schedule, a new phone policy, a new backpack policy and COVID were among those changes. They spoke about moments of high school that were enjoyable – a presentation with friends, a Reid Froiland talk that took up most of class and a Kurt Reynolds story.
Years from now, they noted they will remember the people – the teachers who believed in them when they doubted themselves and the classmates who became lifelong friends.
LHS Principal Kayla Lian was one of those people they will remember. “I’ve had the privilege of knowing many of you since your middle school days, and over the years, you’ve made me laugh, challenged me, impressed me and filled me with pride,” Lian told the students. “I truly believe the future is brighter because of the people sitting in front of us tonight.”
Lian encouraged the graduates to look around and find their people who helped them get to this point. “No one gets here alone,” she said.
Lian reminded the students they choose their attitude. “You choose whether to keep going when things are hard. You choose whether to lead with negativity or kindness. Over time, those choices, those small habits, shape who you become. Oftentimes, it is more about who you are becoming along the way than where you are going.
“And tonight I want to recognize something important. Success does not look the same for everyone. … Every one of the 126 chairs on the floor tonight represents a story worth celebrating,” she said.
As they celebrated this chapter, two of their classmates, Gwen Wojciechowski and Mackenzie Lee, provided the class farewell. They reminded the graduates that high school was only four years of their lives and doesn’t define who they are or who they will become. Wojciechowski said, “We’ve all made mistakes along the way, but hopefully we’ve learned from them, grown because of them and will carry those lessons into who we become next.”