Local students among Minnesota Connections Academy’s Graduates

More than 320 graduating seniors from all over Minnesota recently received their high school diplomas as members of Minnesota Connections Academy’s Class of 2020. Each year the public online school celebrates this academic milestone by hosting an in-person commencement ceremony. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the school recognized the graduates with a virtual celebration.

“Each year we look forward to bringing together our graduates and families from all over the state to celebrate this important achievement,” said Minnesota Connections Academy’s Principal Melissa Gould. “While so much is different for this year’s graduates, the one thing that remains constant is the pride we have for the hard work, determination and focus that each of these students demonstrated to reach this academic milestone.”

The Class of 2020 is the 12th graduating class for the state’s leading provider of high-quality, tuition-free virtual education for students in grades K–12. Many of Minnesota Connections Academy’s Class of 2020 plan to attend a two or four-year college/university including the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State University, Lake Superior College, Dakota County Technical College and Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Twelve of the graduates were members of the National Honor Society while more than 40 graduated with honors (3.6 GPA or better). Overall, the Class of 2020 has received more than $700,000 in college scholarships and awards.

The following students from Hennepin County are among Minnesota Connections Academy’s Class of 2020*:

• Lucye Patterson, Brooklyn Center
• Austin Lang, Minneapolis
• Brenda Harris, Brooklyn Park
• James Lenberg, Minneapolis
• Bre’Shae Reynolds, Brooklyn Park
• Sara Magnuson, Minneapolis
• Ian Mount, Dayton
• Hayat Mohammed, Minneapolis
• Abigail Donovan, Eden Prairie
• Jordan O’Meara, Minneapolis
• Abigail Thelen, Eden Prairie
• Sarah Ruckett, Minneapolis
• Emma Peterson, Maple Grove
• Shelby Ullom, Minneapolis
• Jozie Tamarkin, Maple Grove
• Sam Vasquez, Minneapolis
• Natalia Cain, Minneapolis
• Teanna Walker, Minneapolis
• Elizabeth Curiskis, Minneapolis
• Paul Williams, Minneapolis
• Chase Debol, Minneapolis
• Dakota Greer, Minnesota Lake
• Abbigail Forsberg, Minneapolis
• Sean Agan, Minnetonka
• Austin Kauppi, Minneapolis
• Alexa Hayden, Minnetonka
• Kyra Kennie-Guillaume, Minneapolis
• Dallas Casey, Osseo
• Alexis L’Heureux, Minneapolis
• Brookelyn Johanneck, Plymouth

During the virtual ceremony, Minnesota Connections Academy graduating senior Abigail Thelen of Eden Prairie spoke to her fellow graduates and challenged them, as they move forward, to build and maintain meaningful relationships. Abigail plans to attend the University of Northwestern and majoring in engineering.

“With the onset of COVID-19, I realized that the significance of connections has become amplified as many relationships have been untimely disconnected. Looking back at my past experience at Minnesota Connections Academy and the relationships I have built, I am challenging my Class of 2020, myself included, to look ahead to the future—even in all its unknowns—and consider how we can be committed to creating intentional connections,” Abigail said. “It might be easy to assume that an online school would lack the social aspects of a traditional school setting, but what people don’t understand is that Connections Academy has truly lived up to its name.”

Minnesota Connections Academy provides students statewide with a high-quality, personalized online education. The online school combines certified teachers, a proven curriculum, as well as technology tools, and community experiences—online and in person—to create a supportive environment for those who want an individualized approach to education.

Enrollment for the 2020-21 school year is currently open, and the school is offering virtual information sessions for families interested in learning more. For a complete schedule of events and to RSVP, visit http://www.MinnesotaConnectionsAcademy.com/Events.