Stillwater Gazette 2026 Graduating Class | Page 10

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Page 10 Stillwater Graduation • Friday, May 22, 2026 stillwatergazette. com

Reflecting on the year

The 2025-26 school year saw a notable change for students across the district as start times were changed for students to better cater to the sleep needs of high school students.
Classes for high school students began at 8:35 a. m. and ended at 3:05 p. m. while elementary students attended school from 7:45 a. m. to 2:15 p. m. – effectively swapping the two schedules.
Initial reactions were deeply mixed, with many students concerned about how the schedule change impacted after school activities, sports and jobs. Meanwhile
, staff and parents expressed concern about what the changes meant for arranging things like child care or ensuring that someone was available to make sure their student got home safely.
In January, students organized a peaceful protest and walk-out in response to Operation Metro Surge and the presence of ICE officers in Minneapolis. Over 200 students braved the negative temperatures to stand in solidarity with those impacted by the events.
Student athletes celebrated exciting wins during the 2025-26 school year in
various sports. The Stillwater Ponies won three state team championships and multiple individual athletes won gold medals.
In October, the Stillwater girls soccer team won the Class AAA state championship over the number one seeded and undefeated Wayzata team at U. S Bank Stadium.
The Stillwater boys nordic skiing team won the state championship in February, marking the team’ s first state title in 30 years.
Senior Sylvia Boyum, the reigning
state champion for shot put, set a new school record during the Suburban East Conference Open Meet in April, breaking the record previously held by Adi Nora since 2011.
The Class of 2026 has much to celebrate as they usher in this next era of life. Good luck to all the graduates in their post-secondary adventure, wherever it may take them. Whatever your path may be, the Stillwater community will always cheer you on. Congrats grads!
CONGRATULATIONS
SUCCESS IS THE SUM OF SMALL EFFORTS REPEATED DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
SENIORS!
— ROBERT COLLIER

ERIC THOLE

CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Dominic Rehr Hill Murray High School
Elianah Jespersen Mahtomedi High School
Shannon Stone Johnson High School
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SAHS CLASS OF‘ 84

Congratulations

CLASS OF 2025

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Congratulations, Class Of 2026!

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