Solon Springs seniors count down to graduation

May 23—SOLON SPRINGS — The countdown is on for the Solon Springs class of 2024.

The 24 seniors will receive their diplomas on the school's Sandy "Spin" Slade Gymnasium stage Saturday, May 25. Seniors Hunter Stahl, Kieten Pionk and Brandt Larson sat down Wednesday to talk about their plans for the future and what they'll remember most about their high school years.

Looking back

Pionk's highlight reel will include traveling to the

state semifinals in March with the Eagles boys basketball team, the first to reach state competition in the program's history

. Pionk was manager for the team.

The senior's own time on the court was cut short at the age of 10 following brain surgery.

"I tried playing basketball, but I had a surgery so they wouldn't let me play. But just managing the team, going around, we got to go down to state, so it was great time," Pionk said.

Many of the memories Larson, a choir member, will cherish from high school involve music.

"We went to Disney World last year when I was a junior. We went in early November and then right after that we did a musical, 'Beauty and the Beast.' And I was the beast for that. Those were fun," Larson said.

The senior will finish his high school music career singing a solo at graduation.

This spring's senior class trip to Wisconsin Dells is something Stahl will remember. The highlight of the trip was playing pool in the basement listening to "Up Down" by Morgan Wallen.

"We all were singing along, having a good time, not worrying about anything ..." said Stahl.

Topping the list of teachers they will miss were Joanne Zosel and Dale Rajala.

Small-town support

They agreed that online classes during the pandemic were a challenge, and that the small Solon Springs school has been a good place to form connections.

"You know everybody's names, you can know them personally, have a nice conversation with them, and that's what it's like with our class. We all know each other very well, we all bond and talk about things," Pionk said.

"A lot of people in the Solon community, like parents and that, they're very supportive people," said Larson, who was on the boys basketball team.

"Some of the staff members here have been like family to me, you know, they're very, very nice, very close to me," said Pionk.

They encouraged underclassmen to reach out for that support.

"I'd say just try to connect with people ... try to grow your group around you," Pionk said.

"Socialize (through) all of high school. It will go by very, very fast, very fast," Stahl said.

Looking ahead

They were asked what they would they say to fellow seniors if they were the graduation speakers.

"I would tell them it's gonna be hard, you're gonna have to get through it. No matter how hard it is, you just keep moving forward," Pionk said. "There will be pain, there will be suffering and all that, you know. It's all part of growing. You will fail. But you will learn from those. That's how most successful people become successful, learning from that failure."

Larson would remind them that time moves fast.

"I would say enjoy life while you can in college and outside of college. Have fun. Don't worry about the small things, because that will just hold you back, really," Stahl said.

Although they are graduating, the three will still be classmates at Northwood Technical College. They plan to attend classes there this fall — Stahl and Pionk for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and Larson for nursing.

"I'm just excited to get to work. I want to start building, you know, building my career, building everything. There's more than just school, you know," Pionk said.

Commencement ceremony

Solon Springs graduation takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 25, in the school's Sandy "Spin" Slade Gymnasium. No tickets are required. The valedictorian for the class of 2024 is Tarver Sellwood, and Aubrey Guttormson is this year's salutatorian.