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265 seniors graduate from Austin High School

Austin High School sent its future leaders on their way Friday. About 265 AHS graduates received their diplomas at the 136th AHS commencement.

“It’s time for you to fulfill your dreams,” Austin Public Schools Superintendent David Krenz told students.

The journey to a diploma was different for each student. For some, it was a stretch to graduate. For others, it was simple persistence. Yet almost every student appeared nervous and excited for the possibilities to come.

“I’m excited, because it’s my last year,” Liliana Ramirez said. For Ramirez, a diploma is an honor. She’s the first in her family to graduate from high school. While she doesn’t know where she’s going to college, she is planning to further her education after a year off.

Goliath Oboyo has the same plan, as he said he’ll be working to help his family before attending either Winona State University or the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

“It’s such an enormous moment in life,” he said. “It’s very exciting.”

Yet Oboyo, like many students, is already feeling the pangs of knowing he won’t see the same people in school from now on.

“It’s crazy,” Dylan Kaercher said. “To look back on all the memories … it’s hard to fathom.”

Some students are wondering where the time went.

“[The year] went by really fast,” said Samantha Bednar, who plans to attend Riverland Community College before going to another school. Bednar hopes to go into publishing, as her passion is books.

Regardless, many students look back on their time glad to have attended Austin.

“It was such a great experience,” said Julia Luong, who will attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. “Everyone here was so awesome and welcoming.”

Of course, some students are pleased to be done with high school.

“I’m happy to be well-behaved so I can get a diploma,” Lucas Nagle said. “Thanks a lot, Mr. Bergstrom!”