Barnum graduates 56 seniors

The 56 members of the Class of 2022 graduated Friday evening, June 3, in a commencement ceremony at Barnum High School.

Senior Jennie DeCaigny welcomed her fellow students and their families.

"This ceremony is to celebrate us," she said.

Senior Thomas Koski shared memories from their school years.

"We used to form a conga line and dance while chanting, 'six times six is 36,'" he recalled, "and then there were the class trips to Wolf Ridge and Spirit Mountain."

Audrey Langhorst spoke about those two little words that mean so much: "Thank you." She went on to thank the parents, guardians and community members who taught them to be good humans: the janitors and cooks, office staff and administration, bus drivers, coaches and club advisors, and teachers.

"The teachers helped us grow and gave us the gift of knowledge," she said. "We want to also thank those that will no longer be at Barnum next year. We wish you well in your future endeavors."

She thanked her peers and friends. "Thank you," she said. "'Those two words don't mean much, but together they can mean the world."

Superintendent Mike McNulty handed out the Nathan Moore attendance award to Samuel Collier, who missed only one day of school in 13 years.

The good citizenship award from the Peterson-Westerberg American Legion Post 451 was presented to Henry Dammer and Mendota Castonguay.

Senior Andrew Korioth spoke about the future.

"Even though our path forward is not clear, we made it over the past peak and we will make it over the next," he said. "To the Class of 2022, 'Go Get 'em, Tiger!'"

Barnum High School principal Jodi Fanth presented awards to the class officers, Audrey Langhorst, president; Amri Gilbertson, vice-president; and Ruby Korpela, secretary-treasurer.

Fanth presented awards to the female and male athletes of the year, Lacie O'Leary and Joe Peterson.

The John Philip Sousa award was presented to Mendota Castonguay.

Fanth announced Matthew Berry as salutatorian, and KayeLea Poirier as valedictorian.

And then Fanth certified the students in the Class of 2022.

Teacher Robert Minkkinen read the names of each student as they came forward to receive their diplomas, handed out by board of education members Beth Dinger, Beth Schatz and Jessica Unkelhaeuser.

Amri Gilbertson gave the farewell speech.

"Go forward with confidence," she told her fellow students. "I wish you the best of luck as you go out in the world, achieve your goals and construct new beginnings."

Miniature diplomas and special 2022 gold coins were given to the graduates by teachers representing Education Minnesota-Barnum, as their former students marched out of the gym.