TAYLOR KIEL THE GAZETTE

School’ s( almost) out for summer. For those going straight into the trades or the job market, maybe school’ s( almost) out forever.

The Class of 2025, the 149th class of Stillwater Area High School, graduates on Saturday, June 7.

Over 600 students will walk across the stage of Roy Wilkins Auditorium( 175 W. Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul), taking their first steps into post-high school adulthood.

Doors open to guests at 5:45 p. m., and the ceremony begins at 7 p. m. Seniors should arrive no later than 6:15 p. m.

Those graduating with a GPA over 3.0 have the honor of wearing a cord, and those with a GPA 3.75 or higher have the honor of wearing a stole with their cap and gown.

The last day of school for seniors is Tuesday, June 3.

On June 4, they will run through the commencement practice followed by the senior picnic. Commencement, the district tells seniors, is the most formal of scholastic

ceremonies, and students should act in a dignified manner.

However, that doesn’ t mean students’ last school-sanctioned activities have to be this black tie event. After the graduation ceremony, there is an all-night party for seniors at PINZ in Oakdale, a tradition since 1980.

Valley Access Channels will livestream the graduation ceremony on YouTube, beginning at 7 p. m.

Seniors this year would have been freshmen in the 2021-2022 school year, beginning their high school career in the midst of COVID-19. They likely spent

much of their freshmen year learning from a screen in their homes, then starting out at the school with masks and social distancing in full force.

Going through that uniquely prepared these students for an increasingly remote world, and showed them they can handle whatever life throw their way.

Congrats, grads! Good luck to all the graduates in their post-secondary journey. Wherever your path leads you, the Stillwater community is cheering you on.