WALC celebrates large graduating class

Jolene Danca calls the Winona Area Learning Center a “family of learners.”

“We grow together,” said Danca, the principal, at the school’s graduation ceremony Wednesday. “We stumble together. We cheer together. And sometimes we cry together. But, most importantly, we overcome, which makes all of us here unique.”

The not-so-intimate-anymore ceremony — a little more than half of the 46 students who graduated at some point during the school year returned to cheer and cry with their classmates — is always incredibly personal. Before receiving their diploma, the graduates get to ring a ceremonial gong, then proceed through a line of teary eyed staff members who offer handshakes, hugs, well wishes and personalized congratulations. 

“You’ve each taken a unique path to get to this day, but you’ve each found a way,” Superintendent Brad Berzinski said. “You demonstrated resiliency and flexibility. For that, you should be very proud.”

The WALC graduates include: Dontae Allen, Jose Amador, Treyvon Bailey, Greyson Baxter, Jaden Blanck, Madelynn Bouchette, Brandon Burkhalter, Rashaad Bush, Dakota Deering, Isabella Dufseth, Oscar Haucke, Avrie Hernstine, Hannah Irons, Preston Jonsgaard, Cy Keebaugh, Jasmine Knutsen, Colin Krage, Alyssa Monfreda-Thomas, Oliver Montgomery, Rayne Neal, Serenity Pestana, Justin Prondzinski, Justin Rivera-Gomez, Brody Rothering, Elii Segrest, Abeyon Smith, Abbey Snodgrass, Connor Stark, Thane Stark-Cessna, Hailey Stoltman, Alexxis Sullivan, Jacob Thompson, Mara Turner, Rain Walters, Marques Webster, Dontavion Whiteside, Junior Xiong, Ruth Xiong. 

Summer and mid-school-year graduates included: Collin Corcoran, Leif Cruse, Rory Hjemeland, Sydney Jacobson, Dannika Jonsgaard, Michelle LeBlanc, Lee Vang, Elias Workman. 

Danca said she likes to remind her students that we all carry a suitcase, a suitcase that is unique to each of us and the experiences we have had, the relationships we have formed, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. 

“We are glad that we have been a part of your journey and have a little corner spot in that suitcase, if only for a short time in your life,” she said. “I know some of you will leave here and go into the work world. Others will head into college. But no matter which way you go, or which path you choose, always remember to leave a little bit of yourself wherever you go. What mark you will leave, that is entirely up to you, and it always has been.”

The ceremony also honored two departing WALC staff members — Miller Mentoring program coordinator Kathy Welch and social studies teacher Brooke Auer Lee. Welch is retiring, while Auer Lee is moving to be closer to family. 

“You both will be missed, but never forgotten,” Danca said, fighting back tears.