Miitary-bound seniors graduate early in special solo ceremonies
Graphic by Erin Ver Mulm/BV Journal
Four seniors – Caleb Klatt, Garrett Lien, Luke Higgins and Keely Kielman – will miss their Brandon Valley High School graduation ceremony because they have enlisted in the military. Since these four seniors are currently at basic training, the high school held four, individual graduations in June, providing each of the students with an opportunity to celebrate their commencement.
High school principal Mark Schlekeway said he encouraged families with students entering the military to reach out to him when he sent out the final decision concerning graduation. School administrators then put together individual ceremonies for each of the military-bound students.
“They were able to have their own moment,” Schlekeway said. “Otherwise, we would’ve just been handing them a diploma with nothing, and I didn’t think that was enough.”
In June, the high school was still in Phase 1 of the Return to School Plan, so a maximum of 10 people were allowed to attend ceremonies; most students invited just their immediate family, according to Schlekeway. The graduations were held in the Performing Arts Center, and students walked in to the graduation anthem “Pomp and Circumstance.” Schlekeway gave a short message and then they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.
The four students also received a memento from the high school to take with them to basic training. Each were presented a penny engraved with their name and the phrase, “The Class of 2020.” Schlekeway said it was “something they can take with them.”
The high school recorded each of the ceremonies and sent videos to the families. At the July 19 ceremony, a clip of the students walking across the PAC stage will play as their names are called.
“We really wanted to honor them,” Schlekeway said. “Everybody involved was super appreciative that we honored our military graduates that couldn’t attend in July.”
Luke Higgins enlisted in the Army National Guard, Keely Kielman in the Air National Guard, and Garret Lien and Caleb Klatt in the United States Marines Corps.
