WADENA — In June, 795 graduating seniors from communities across Minnesota were awarded their high school diplomas as members of Minnesota Connections Academy’s Class of 2025.
The tuition-free, public online school recently recognized graduates during a traditional, in-person commencement ceremony at the Minneapolis Convention Center on June 7.
“The faculty and staff at Minnesota Connections Academy are so proud of this year’s graduates for their hard work and determination to reach this milestone,” said Minnesota Connections Academy Executive Director Brad Swanson in a news release. “These students came to our school in search of an opportunity to learn in a way that works best for them, and they thrived. Our Class of 2025 is ready to move on with the skills they learned to take on whatever challenges lie ahead.”
During the ceremony, seniors Zania Myers of Minneapolis and Marion Kamara of Moorhead gave remarks to their classmates.
“What makes the Class of 2025 truly remarkable is not just what we’ve accomplished—but how we did it,” said Myers. “We are a class defined by inclusivity, by the belief that everyone deserves a place, a voice, and a chance. We come from different backgrounds, with different stories and perspectives, but we lifted each other up. We celebrated our differences, and we found unity in our shared experiences.”
“Here’s to the dreamers, the fighters, the procrastinators who still made it (no judgment) the ones who logged on even when they didn’t feel like it, the quiet achievers, the leaders, the artists, the scientist, the future entrepreneurs, and world changers,” said Kamara. “We didn’t just adapt to the world; we changed what success can look like. We proved that a community is built with heart, not hallways, we prove that resilience can be logged in and carried out into the world and today we celebrate not just the end of high school but the beginning of thousands of new stories each waiting to be written by us”
The Class of 2025 is the 17th graduating class for the virtual school that serves students in grades K-12 statewide. Many of Minnesota Connections Academy’s Class of 2025 plan to attend a two or four-year college or university, including Augsburg University, Concordia University—St. Paul, Simpson College, St. Olaf College, University of Findlay, University of Minnesota, University of North Dakota and Winona State University. Others are entering the workforce, joining the military, taking a gap year, or pursuing other exciting opportunities.
The following students from Wadena County are among Minnesota Connections Academy’s Class of 2025:
- Elliana Edwards, Wadena
- Elsa Erickson, Wadena
- Calie Fiedler, Wadena
- Sara Mensinger, Verndale
The 2025-26 academic year will mark the school’s second year of its successful College and Career Readiness offering for middle and high school students. Building on last year's foundation, this refined offering integrates traditional academic subjects with industry-leading, career-focused options like IT, business, health sciences and marketing. This program equips students with durable skills like leadership, critical thinking and teamwork. Students can participate in career exploration and industry networking opportunities to build confidence, make connections and find direction to prepare for their future.
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