Class of 2024 Graduation

Former Holy Family School Chaplain and current St. Paul Seminary Formation Director and Dean of Men, Father Nels Gjengdahl, celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass with close to 800 family members and friends of the graduates.

At the close of Mass, President Brennan presented the Class of 2024 Ambassador of Christ Awards to Tamara Mackey and Thomas Red Wing III, setting a tone of recognition and celebration for the ceremony.  

Immediately after, the commencement ceremony began. Principal Dols took the stage to congratulate the graduates. He shared memories of their ninth-grade year, recalling the efforts to ensure they spent their first year of high school in person and the mutual respect, love, and trust that year required between our students and staff. He implored, "If you can treat others with that same respect, that same love, and that same trust, then you will change the world."

The ceremony then highlighted the academic achievements of Valedictorian Eli Moe and Salutatorian Andrew Klawitter. Both were celebrated for their outstanding academic records before they presented their addresses to their classmates and community. Their speeches resonated with gratitude, hope, and shared accomplishment.

Following Andrew's address, faculty speaker Brendan McInerny shared his thoughts and advice for the Class of 2024. He first shared how much he loved being their theology teacher and then offered advice for their next "great adventure" that they would care more about the acts of God's love they offered others than solely the titles and wealth they would accumulate. He said, "And, in the end, our dreams, success, whatever will all pass away, and the only things that will remain from our great adventure are those we did with love."

Before the presentation of the diplomas, Principal Dols recognized the recipients of the Mary and Joseph Medals. These awards are given to a senior male and female who best exemplify the identity and values of Holy Family Catholic High School. Demonstrating strong and mature faith and a desire to live like Jesus in their love and service to others, the Class of 2024 Mary and Joseph Medal recipients are Phoebe Johnson and Jameson Quinn. These individuals were nominated by their classmates and selected by faculty, staff, and the administration.

During the ceremony, it was announced that our Class of 2024 graduates have earned nearly $16.3 million in scholarship offers, with $5.249 million accepted. This impressive achievement reflects their hard work and the confidence colleges and universities have in preparing for future academic success. The graduates are set to embark on new journeys at 71 different college destinations, ready to take on new challenges and make their mark on the world.

The ceremony concluded as a beautiful gathering of family and friends, all united in pride and joy for the accomplishments of the graduates, marking the end of one chapter and the exciting beginning of another.

A recording of the livestream may be found on our Vimeo channel.