More than 300 Austin High School graduates will be welcomed tonight by their student body president Christian Folken.

He said he’ll be nervous, standing at a podium in front of all of his classmates and their families, but his teachers and principal have the utmost confidence in him.

Public speaking is nothing new to Folken, who has served on the AHS student council all four years of high school. But tonight’s address will be different than those he’s given to the council, or the cross country and track teams, drama club, Link Crew, orchestra and choir — all of which he’s been a member.

“I’ll be prepared and I’m really honored to have been asked,” he said. “I’ve got mixed feelings about graduating. I’m excited to start the next chapter of my life … But I’ve enjoyed my high school years and I love my class.”

When: 7 p.m., Friday; doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Riverside Arena, 501 Second Ave. NE

Folken is among about 300 seniors who will accept their diplomas tonight in Riverside Arena; he is one of more than 20 who will graduate with high distinction, having earned a GPA of 3.9 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Austin High School does not name valedictorians or salutatorians. Folken will give the introduction and lead the Pledge of Allegiance before all students of high distinction will have an opportunity to speak.

“It’s amazing to represent my senior class,” Folken said.

Folken represents his class not only tonight, but has done so throughout his four years as an Austin Packer.

Prior to high school, he represented many of those same students when he was on the Ellis Middle School Student Council, serving as president his eighth-grade year.

“I fell in love with what the student council does,” Folken said of the AHS council.

As president of the council, Folken was charged with overseeing the coordination of homecoming events; as vice president last year, he co-coordinated a state high school student council conference that was held in Austin, organizing, among other things, lodging for more than 200 visiting high school students.

Student council advisor Andrea Malo said she will miss Folken’s leadership, communication skills and calming presence next year.

“He has really excelled,” she said.

AHS assistant principal Katie Baskin agreed that he has lead the student council, and the class, very well.

“He’s a great young man, a great example for incoming students,” she said.

Folken will attend St. Olaf College this fall, where he plans to study political science or sociology; he also hopes to become involved in student leadership there.

This summer, in between preparing to move off to college and working at the Austin Municipal Pool, Folken — like his classmates — plans to fit in a few more months of high school-style fun.

“I want to take some time to reminisce with all my classmates, and just take it all in.”