As I look over my social media posts and see all the graduation pictures it always reminds me of my graduation from high school and college. That was a long time ago.

I attended Canby’s graduation this past Friday. We were actually broadcasting the ceremony over KLQP. So I was working and before it started I got to thinking how the high school graduation ceremony really hasn’t changed much over the years. You would think there would be some changes over time. The graduates march into the gym with Pomp and Circumstance playing, there’s usually a speaker or a couple of the graduates speak. A picture montage might be played. The students then walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. That’s basically it.

I know some schools have there little traditions during the ceremony. After getting their diplomas and told they have officially graduated the Canby graduates spray each other with silly string. I like that. The Lac qui Parle Valley graduates gather around the flagpole out in front of the school and throw their caps in the air after graduation for one last picture together.

I graduated from Madison High School in 1976 and if I remember correctly our graduation ceremony was held on a Wednesday evening. We were lucky enough to have the President of the Department of Education speak at our graduation and I remember what he looked like and a little about his speech. Do you remember who spoke at your graduation? I remember walking into the gym with my girlfriend at the time and how special that was. After the ceremony was over we walked across the street and had my grad party in the basement of St. Michaels church. My senior year we had a foreign exchange student living with us, so Sol and I had our graduation party together. It was a fun night. I remember a lot of teachers came to our graduation reception.

Another graduation I had was from Alexandria Technical and Community College. That was in 1977. I was very proud of myself that year. I started school with really no purpose in life and felt kind of lost in a way. I looked like a hippie with long hair and a beard and I missed my girlfriend terribly. Roxie went to college in Willmar and me to Alex and we hated being a part from each other, so we decided to get married. I graduated from Alexandria clean shaven, with a haircut and a wife and with a degree in Marketing and Sales. I was proud of my time at Alex. The teachers awarded me with the student of the year award. I still have that plaque.

Alexandria really was a turning point in my life. I thank the teachers that I had. They really cared about me and wanted me to succeed. I got married that year as well and my wife Roxie was a big help to me. My first roommate shared Jesus with me and told me about having a personal relationship with him and how it changed his life. That was something I hadn’t heard before. So, a lot happened to me in Alexandria that year, lots of good changes. I have always said Alex Tech is the best school in the state and it still is today.

If any graduates are reading this, here is my advice. Put God/Jesus first in your life, read his word daily and everything else will fall into place. It’s also important to pursue something you love and stay out of debt. Enjoy life because in a blink of an eye you are 66 years old and have been out of high school for 50 years.