On Saturday, May 20, 31 seniors graduated from Flandreau High School. Rick Weber, Flandreau Public Schools superintendent, introduced the keynote speaker, Georgia Adolph.

Adolph, a longtime Flandreau educator and coach, told the graduates she remembered meeting most of the at their preschool screenings. She said through the years she has taught them, coached them and cheered them on in all they’ve done leading up to graduating from high school.

She gave the students three pieces of advice. First, always be respectful. “The biggest mistake we make is assuming people think the same way as us,” Adolph said.

Second, don’t be afraid of failure. She said to be humble and seek progress, not affection.

Third, get involved in your community wherever you are. “Experience all the town has to offer.”

In closing, she told the seniors to be themselves, not what others want them to be.

Next, High School Principal Dr. Margo Heinert introduced the senior farewell speaker, class president Tomi Hagedorn.

“We may not know where we want to go from here, but we’ll know where we started,” Hagedorn said. “Flandreau High School will always be where our story began.”

She told her classmates that life isn’t over now just because high school is, but that life will get better with even more opportunities.

Heinert presented the graduates and school board members Kari Burggraff, Matt Lacey and Clay Pavlis awarded the diplomas to the 31 students.

The graduates then presented roses to their parents, family members or anyone else who helped them get to this point.