Congratulations, Class of 2025!

As the school year comes to a close, we pause to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our students, staff, families, and this supportive community. Earlier this month, we honored the Cambridge-Isanti High School Class of 2025 at graduation—a class that has left a lasting mark on our school district.

These students have come of age during a time of unprecedented change. Yet through it all, they have shown resilience, compassion, and an unshakable commitment to learning and growth. More than just academic success, this class embodies the core values of the Bluejacket Way: respect, responsibility, honesty, self-discipline, and compassion.

Graduation is not just a personal milestone—it’s also a community achievement. At this year’s ceremony, the presence of families, teachers, mentors, and local alumni served as a powerful reminder that success is rooted in the support of others. In fact, we asked alumni in the audience to stand, and dozens rose to their feet. Many once sat in the same seats as our graduates, and they are now cheering them on from new stages in life. The Class of 2025 officially joins the ranks of proud Bluejacket alumni.

This class is also record-setting in many ways:

• Through the generosity of our local community and the C-I Dollars for Scholars organization, the Class of 2025 received $253,850 in scholarships—the highest total in our school’s history.
• They earned a combined 2,642 college credits through College in the Schools and 189 credits through the St. Cloud Technical & Community College Vocational Welding Program.
• These opportunities represent more than $2.3 million in college tuition savings for students and families.

Academic excellence defines this group:

• Nine students earned a perfect 4.0 GPA and share the title of Valedictorian.
• 124 students graduated with Honors (3.33 GPA or higher), and 70 earned Honors with Distinction (3.67 GPA or higher), both surpassing records from previous graduating classes.

Three students stand among the top 1% of graduating seniors nationwide, earning prestigious recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Program:

• Gunnar Erickson, who also scored a perfect 36 on the ACT, was named a National Merit Finalist.
• Amelia Beard and Samuel Bettendorf were honored as National Merit Commended Students, reflecting their exceptional academic promise and performance.

Additional highlights from this remarkable senior class include:

• 39 seniors were inducted into the National Honor Society, recognized for their scholarship, leadership, character, and service.
• 16 graduates have committed to serving our country by enlisting in the United States Armed Forces. We thank them for their courage and dedication.

This class also excelled in co-curricular and extracurricular activities:

• Our athletic programs earned numerous Mississippi 8 Conference Silver and Gold Academic Awards, demonstrating success both in competition and in the classroom.
• Four teams won Conference Championships: Boys Tennis, Softball, Boys Track and Field, and Girls Tennis.

Students shined in academics and the arts:

• The CIHS Speech Team finished 6th at the state competition, with four seniors named to the Minnesota All-State Speech Team.
• Model United Nations participant Laynie Olson earned multiple national honors and finished in the top 20 overall.
• The Math Team claimed the Rum River Conference Championship, led by Gunnar Erickson, who also qualified for state.
• The Economics Team qualified for state with strong performances from several seniors.
• In Skills USA, seniors placed in the top three in categories ranging from Cabinetry to MIG welding.
• Our ProStart culinary team earned its highest-ever state finish, placing 8th overall.

In the performing and visual arts:

• The CIHS Theater Department delivered three exceptional productions, including a conference-champion one-act play.
• Visual artists earned Superior and Honorable Mention ratings at the Mississippi 8 Visual Arts Festival.

Our Triple-A Award winners, Keagen Lowman and Ava Miller, were recognized for excellence in Academics, Arts, and Athletics. Keagen was also named the MSHSL Class AA State Triple-A Winner—a rare and prestigious honor.

This is just a glimpse of what these graduates have accomplished. Their diverse achievements are a direct reflection of the outstanding support system that surrounds them—from dedicated staff and teachers to community partners and families. These results reflect the many strengths of our district that we are proud to celebrate—from the exceptional range of opportunities available to our students, to the dedicated staff and strong community partnerships that help make such success possible.

To the Class of 2025—congratulations! You’ve made us proud. We look forward to watching you continue to grow, lead, and make a difference. Always a Bluejacket.

Go Big Blue!