Excitement filled the air as Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) seniors gathered Friday at the high school to take buses to their graduation ceremony at 3M Arena at Mariucci, located on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis.
Eden Prairie Local News photographer Gretchen Haynes captured the event, which showcased a mix of anticipation and camaraderie among the graduates.
This year marked a significant milestone as the EPHS Class of 2024 graduated, coinciding with the school district’s celebration of 100 years since the town consolidated its four one-room schools in 1924. About 700 seniors, dubbed the “Century Club” by school staff, heard their names called and walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.
A humorous moment occurred when one senior needed help tying his tie. With three classmates struggling to assist, Haynes stepped in to tie a simple Windsor knot. This led to more requests for help, turning Haynes into an impromptu tie expert.
One of them asked Haynes how she knew how to tie a tie. She explained that her father had taught her. When he asked, “Why would he teach a girl?” she responded that it was so she could help men “who had never learned, like them!”
While taking photos, Haynes also chatted with a few of the seniors, gathering some insights and reflections on their time in high school.
- Maibelyn Fornarelli Ramos said her favorite class was French because the teacher made it fun.
- Isabel Gerlach expressed excitement about spending the summer in China, reuniting with family after five years due to travel restrictions from COVID-19.
- Anya Benakli said it might sound cliché, but it’s really important for new students to “put themselves out there and try new things.”
- Asiya Geyre said she loved making new friends during high school.
- Campbell Gillquist advised new students to “just hang in there.”
- And, Sophia Hughes remarked on how it all goes so fast.
Eden Prairie High School graduates gather with family and friends in front of the school for photos before departing on buses for the graduation ceremony on Friday, June 7. Photos by Gretchen Haynes 
From left, Zoe Virden, Abiel Ferede, Isabel Gerlach, Anya Benakli, Mia Hernandez, and Annabelle Rice pose while waiting for buses at the high school to take them to graduation at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Virden will take a gap year, Ferede will attend the University of Minnesota, Gerlach will study German at Bryn Mawr College, Benakli will study computer engineering at the University of Minnesota, Hernandez will attend Augsburg College, and Rice will study accounting at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. 
From left, Joey Goetze, Owen Brattebo, Ryan Holtz, Will Sather, Connor Stoffel, Gannon Smith, Tristan Robert, Deion In, Hudson Longie, Ian Callahan, and Arya Nagarale wait at Eden Prairie High School for buses to take them to graduation at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Goetze will study business at the University of Minnesota; Brattebo will study law at Harvard University; Holtz will study architecture at the University of Minnesota; Sather will study economics at Princeton University; Stoffel will study finance at the University of Iowa; Smith will study finance at the University of Minnesota; Robert will study business at the University of Iowa; In will study finance at the University of Minnesota; Longie will study health science at Ohio State University; Callahan will study business at the University of Minnesota; and Nagarale will study business at Arizona State University. Photo by Gretchen Haynes 
Asiya Geyre poses at the high school while waiting for buses to take her to graduation at 3M Arena at Mariucci. She will attend Normandale College for two years before transferring to the University of Minnesota, aiming for a career in technology like many of her family members. 
From left, Gracie Hughes, Sam Lubbers, and Chris Moen pose while waiting for buses at the high school to take them to graduation at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Hughes will study welding at Hennepin Technical College, Lubbers will study welding at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, and Moen will study plumbing at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. 
Left to right: Bayden Mahamen will study Nursing at the University of Minnesota and Nawal Farah will first attend Normandale College before transferring to the University of Minnesota to study Biology 
A group of 22 seniors pose for a photo while waiting for buses at the high school to take them to graduation at 3M Arena at Mariucci. 
From left, Ava Kizewski, Olivia Ladegaard, Campbell Gillquist, and Sophia Hughes pose while waiting for buses at the high school to take them to graduation at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Kizewski will study nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Ladegaard will study biology at Oregon State University, Gillquist will study psychology at Gustavus Adolphus College, and Hughes will study theology in Hawaii. 
Maibelyn Fornarelli Ramos poses at the high school while waiting for buses to take her to graduation at 3M Arena at Mariucci. She plans to attend the University of Minnesota to study psychology.
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