Elk River Star News Saturday, June 6, 2026 | 47
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Myah Kmecik speaks to classmates, staff and families during Ivan Sand Community High School’ s graduation ceremony June 1 at the Zabee Theater in Elk River High School.
Ivan Sand graduates celebrate resilience, second chances at June 1 commencement
Twenty-four diplomas awarded
BY JIM BOYLE Editor
Twenty-four diplomas were awarded June 1 as Ivan Sand Community High School celebrated the Class of 2026 at the Zabee Theater in Elk River, with speakers throughout the evening returning to one central message: success does not always follow a straight line.
Again and again, students and staff described graduates who had fallen behind academically, struggled with attendance, battled personal challenges or found that traditional schools were not the right fit. The ceremony recognized not only their diplomas, but also the persistence it took to earn them.
Ivan Sand is an alternative high school in ISD 728 that serves students who have fallen behind academically or found that a traditional school setting was not the right fit.
Keynote speaker Joe Robinson, an Elk River High School graduate who now works at Ivan Sand in ISD 728, framed the evening around the importance of being seen for more than one’ s struggles.
Robinson told graduates he once sat in an English
Keynote speaker Joe Robinson addresses graduates during Ivan Sand Community High School’ s commencement ceremony June 1 at the Zabee Theater in Elk River High School.
classroom just down the hall from the theater, dreading the return of a paper covered in red ink. Expecting criticism, he instead found encouragement from teacher Patty Prody.
“ Joe, I can tell you wrote this with your heart,” Robinson recalled her writing.
More than two decades later, he said, he still keeps that paper. Robinson said the note made him feel seen for who he was, not judged for his mistakes.
That experience, he said, reflects what Ivan Sand staff try to provide students every day.
“ The hardest part about weaknesses isn’ t the
Augustus Thomas speaks to fellow graduates, staff and families during Ivan Sand Community High School’ s commencement ceremony June 1 at the Zabee Theater in Elk River High School.
struggle,” Robinson said.“ It’ s the fear that people will only see the weakness and never see the person behind.”
He said many students at Ivan Sand have faced obstacles that others may never fully understand, including interrupted schooling, mental health struggles, instability and self-doubt. But he said those same students also demonstrate unusual strength.
“ Most people will look at your diploma and see a normal high school journey,” Robinson told graduates.“ But you and I both know what it really represents. It represents every obstacle you’ ve faced, every setback you’ ve overcome, and every hour of perseverance, resilience and strength it took to get here.”
That message echoed in the remarks of four student speakers, who described how Ivan Sand’ s flexibility and support helped them reach graduation in different ways.
Myah Kmecik told the audience she rewrote her speech several times, trying to make it perfect, but ultimately focused on the people who stood by her.
“ During high school I didn’ t remember a lot,” she said.“ I didn’ t remember due dates. I didn’ t remember the curriculum, and I
Brandon Martinez-Ortiz addresses classmates, staff and families during Ivan Sand Community High School’ s commencement ceremony June 1 at the Zabee Theater in Elk River High School.
never remembered when I had a test. But the one thing I remember was who showed up for me.”
Kmecik thanked her family, friends and teachers, saying Ivan Sand helped her change both her habits and her perspective. She said she once doubted she would graduate, but now has been accepted to the Model College of Hair Design in St. Cloud, where she plans to study aesthetics.
“ Getting accepted into college and standing here giving a speech is proof that no matter what we think or what we go through, we are able to overcome the hardest challenges,” she said.
Augustus Thomas described struggles that began in elementary school, including time in English language learner classes and speech therapy. He said he developed a habit of not taking school seriously and
Nadie Kreager speaks to fellow graduates, staff and families during Ivan Sand Community High School’ s commencement ceremony June 1 at the Zabee Theater in Elk River High School.
PHOTOS BY JIM BOYLE
Members of the Elk River Area School Board shake hands with Ivan Sand Community High School graduates after School Board Chairman Mike Nordos presented diplomas June 1 at the Zabee Theater in Elk River High School. carried that mindset into high school, where he failed classes and struggled with attendance.
A turning point came when he enrolled at Ivan Sand, where the school’ s unit-based system allowed him to recover credits and work ahead.
“ I learned that if I truly wanted something, I needed to actually work for it instead
See IVAN SAND | PAGE 48