Havre High holds 2022 graduation

After more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Havre High School held its graduation for the Class of 2022 Sunday at Blue Pony Stadium, where the students were thanked for their perseverance and encouraged to succeed in the next chapter of life.

Havre Public Schools Superintendent Craig Mueller also thanked graduates' families for their flexibility during this difficult time and the HPS Board of Trustees for their continued support.

Mueller said students should keep doing what they've been doing up until now and be an example for others.

"It is my hope that you will continue to learn and inspire others in your company," he said. "I believe that Havre Public Schools has given you the college- and career-ready skills to be successful in the next chapter of your life."

With this ceremony, he said, students join a prestigious group of Blue Pony alumni, a group their graduation speaker, Havre High School Teacher Erika Brekhus, belongs to.

Mueller said Brekhus, has been recognized by her peers for outstanding performance as a Havre Public Schools Teacher of the Year and is dedicated to her students and making sure they succeed.

After thanking Mueller for the introduction Brekhus said whereever the students end up, she hopes they will continue to heed the lessons they learned here.

"Be safe, be responsible, be respectful, and be educated," she said.

She said life as an adult will be very different, with far less guidance day to day and a lot more responsibilities, and they need to make sure they stay safe.

"You are entering a very vulnerable time in your life and it's up to you to protect yourself," Brekhus said.

She said many of these lessons are simple ones they've learned since they were little, but some are worth repeating.

She said students should always travel with at least one person they know, make sure someone knows where they are and when they'll be back, and not let themselves be alone with someone they don't know.

She also said they should trust their instincts and not be scared to remove themselves from situations they feel are unsafe.

"If your intuition is telling you something is wrong, it probably is," Brekhus said. "Listen to it."

She also said students should make sure to always remain respectful even with people they may not agree with or get along with.

She said they are independent people with their own thoughts and views and they don't need to agree with everyone, nor do they need to be friends with everyone. But, she said, they should always be respectful regardless.

"Respect is a trait that is very noticeable by others and will take you a long way," she said.

Brekhus also talked about the responsibilities they will take on as adults and they should always strive to meet the expectations set for them, even if they stumble, which everyone does.

"Own up to your mistakes because, trust me, there will be plenty," she said. "They are learning opportunities."

She said whether they are looking to go to college or start their careers they should always endeavor to learn regardless of whether they are in a classroom or not.

Brekhus said they are heading into an exciting chapter in their lives, but there will be hard times and failures, but their response to those times are what matters, and they should never be afraid of reaching out to others.

"Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength," she said. " ... You have a stadium full of people here that love you and will continue to support you with whatever you do. We've been here to guide you for the last 18 years, and we're not about to give up on you now."

During the ceremony, Mueller also thanked his administrative assistant, Shelley Southworth, who gave more than 30 years to the district and cared deeply for all there.

"I can tell you from my own experience she cares about each and every student and staff member in the district," he said.

He also asked for a round of applause for a graduating student who couldn't be there, Kaden Brunell, who is attending school in San Diego after completing basic training as a U.S. Marine.