Graduation

It was thrilling to celebrate the Class of 2021 last Friday evening at Mariucci Arena. Thank you to family and friends who gathered to recognize the accomplishments of this accomplished group of young people.

Watch the SLPHS Class of 2021 Graduation Ceremony

Graduation Photos

If you came to the high school for the photo opportunity offered in advance of graduation, you will receive a direct follow-up from the photographer with information about your graduate/family photo. In addition, we have compiled an album of candid photos taken at graduation on Friday, June 11. These are free and available via a Class of 2021 Flickr album

Past Class of 2021 communication

Class of 2021 - Senior Spotlight

We have asked our graduating seniors to share their plans for the future, favorite experiences and what makes them Panther Proud. In the coming weeks, we will continue to share student spotlights as we celebrate the Class of 2021.

Read more about each senior spotlight's time at SLP here

Megan Mulrooney

Class of 2021- Megan Mulrooney smiling

What are your plans after graduation? After graduation, I will be attending the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. 

What was your favorite high school experience? My favorite experience was Choir’s trip to New York City. I have been in Ms. Phelps’s Choir class since sixth grade, and I was overjoyed to spend time exploring the Big Apple with my classmates. We enjoyed multiple Broadway musicals, worked with clinicians, performed at beautiful locations, and ate some exceptional food. (I highly recommend “$0.99 Pizza” in Times Square!)

Sanober Hindustani

Class of 2021- Sanober Hindustani smiling

What are your plans after graduation? I plan to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and major in biology.

What was your favorite high school experience? My best experience was during the 2019 graduation when I played in band. At first, I wasn’t thrilled because it was above 100 degrees that day and the humidity was going to mess up my curly hair! Ms. Tycast had explained that there would be a euphoric feeling in the air as the seniors walked across the stage, but I was skeptical of this. As we started to play Pomp and Circumstances, I felt the feeling of accomplishment, and although I was only a sophomore, I couldn’t wait till I achieved such a high honor. 

Hailey Herzog

Class of 2021- Hailey Herzog smiling

What are you plans after graduation? After graduation, I plan to major in Animation & Digital Media at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. In the future, I hope to work in storyboarding or illustration. 

What makes you #SLPPantherProud? I am proud to be part of a community that provides so many extracurricular opportunities for students K-12. While education is obviously important, I feel that the connections people make in activities outside of class is what makes the SLP experience truly amazing. I am extremely grateful for every teacher, coach, and staff member who helped me pursue my (many) passions, and I hope that every future SLP student can find their own special community by getting involved. 

Mackenzie Monsrud

Class of 2021- Mackenzie Monsrud smiling

What are your plans after graduation? After graduation, I am planning to take a gap year. For six months of that gap year, I will be attending a Bible School in Germany. I am not sure what I will be doing after that, but I am excited for whatever it may be! 

What makes you #SLPPantherProud? I am Panther Proud because Spring Lake Park has provided me with numerous opportunities to grow as both a person and a student. Throughout my educational career, I was surrounded by incredibly supportive staff and teachers. Everyone I have encountered has been encouraging and supportive of me and my goals. They always made me feel capable and never hesitated to remind me of my strength and resilience. The staff also took the time to get to know me as an individual. In the classroom, teachers emphasized character growth and modeled the importance of teamwork and motivation. I will forever be grateful for those life lessons as they will continue to be valuable in my future.

Josh Nygaard

Class of 2021 senior Josh Nygaard

What are your plans after graduation? I will be attending Michigan Technological University’s college of computing as I major in computer science with a focus on game development.

What was your favorite class and/or experience? My favorite experience in high school was participating in the boys’ swim team. Participating in athletics has not only helped me grow as an athlete but as a person and in the confidence of myself. Through the tough exercises and the numerous personal records, I learned that I am capable of so much more than I had previously thought. I learned that I can pursue just about anything if I really put my mind and prayers into it. Though my time in high school is coming to an end, the pursuit of my CS degree had just begun.

Shivangi Pandey

Class of 2021 senior Shivangi Pandey smiling outside

What are your plans after graduation? I plan to attend the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where I will be studying at the College of Science and Engineering.  

What makes you #SLPPantherProud? I am SLP Panther Proud because of the many opportunities presented to me throughout my years in high school. SLP has given me the opportunity to pursue my passions and discover my true potential. I have also been fortunate enough to be a part of a growing community committed to making a positive difference in the world. The wonderful community we have here, including all the teachers who devote their time to ensure their students succeed, along with the garlic cheese bread, makes me proud to be a Panther!

Jennifer Flores-Valenzuela

Class of 2021 senior Jennifer Flores-Valenzuela

What are your plans after graduation? After graduation, I will be attending the University of St.Thomas to study Music Education.

What was your favorite class and/or experience? My favorite experience was traveling to Cuba with the band. I really enjoyed learning about Cuba's music and culture, as well as seeing a variety of different performances, the 1950s car ride, salsa dancing, and conga line dancing with my peers.

Hayat Muse

Class of 2021 senior Hayat Muse

What are your plans after graduation? In the fall I plan to attend Harvard University with a joint concentration in Sociology and Statistics. After college, I plan on attending Law School.

What was your favorite class and/or experience? My favorite experience was when I qualified for my state speech competition my sophomore year. Having all of my and my teammate’s hard work manifest into this ultimate success was very gratifying. Celebrating with my teammates on the bus ride home was definitely my favorite part of the day. Nothing can replace or replicate that feeling of community and shared joy I felt then. 

Sean Erdahl

Class of 2021 - Sean Erdahl smiling

What are your plans after graduation? In the fall, I will be attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and I plan on majoring in pre-dentistry or a related field.

What Makes you #SLPPPantherProud? I am SLP Panther Proud because this school district has provided me with a lot of the tools, resources and education I need to succeed in life, as well as being a district comprised of many great teachers and staff. 

Sulekha Osman

Class of 2021 - Sulekha Osman smiling

What are your plans after graduation? After graduation, I plan to attend New York University and major in Global Public Health, with a concentration in Biology, and stay on a Pre-Med track.

What makes you #SLPPantherProud? I am SLP Panther Proud because the Panthers have helped shape me into the person that I am today. All of the teachers, students, and counselors helped me on my journey to finding myself and succeeding and I couldn't be more glad to consider myself a Panther. I am also Panther Proud because despite all my setbacks and obstacles, I have grown stronger and that is all thanks to the staff at SLP, which have helped pick me up when I was down and as a result of that I am indeed Panther Proud.

Alina Schenk

Class of 2021 - Alina Schenk smiling outside

What are your plans after graduation? My plans after high school are to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a major in environmental sciences.

What was your favorite class and/or experience? My favorite high school experience was all of the trips we made to State on the dance team. This experience was one I will never forget. The dance team has been a huge part of my high school career and it has definitely shaped me into the person I am today. Thank you to my coaches and teammates for your hard work and dedication. Going to State is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I was so grateful to be a part of that. 

Sam Ehret

Class of 2021 senior Sam Ehret smiling in classes next to a tree

What are your plans after graduation? After graduation, I plan to attend Anoka Ramsey Community College in the fall and get an Associate's Degree in their Business Transfer Pathway. Then, my plan is to Major in General Business through St. Cloud State.

What makes you #SLPPantherProud? One of the main reasons why I am SLP Panther Proud is our after-school activities. Having a wide array of after-school activities allows students to explore different interests and express themselves and their talents. I am also SLP Panther Proud because of the outstanding faculty members that are supportive, caring, and go above and beyond to help their students succeed.

Sibiah Mirieri

Class of 2021 senior Sibiah Mirieri

What are your plans after graduation? After graduation, I plan on attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where I will be majoring in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. 

What was your favorite class and/or experience? My favorite high school experience was the band's trip to Cuba. It was amazing to be immersed in such a different culture as well as explore the country with my peers. Being able to try new foods and attend a variety of different performances each night was such an amazing experience. 

Maya Dempsey

Class of 2021 senior Maya Dempsey

What are your plans after graduation? I plan to further my education and soccer career at Hamline University where I will study business 

What makes you #SLPPantherProud? What makes me Panther Proud is the diversity of our school.  The diversity that our school has to offer carries throughout the entire building. Students feel safe and at home within these four walls. Anyone could see that all of our students have a teacher or a classroom that they can go to and feel welcomed and comfortable and I know not a lot of other schools can say the same. 

hat toss at graduation