๐†๐ซ๐š๐๐ฎ๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ฌ: ๐–ฑ๐–พ๐—†๐–พ๐—†๐–ป๐–พ๐—‹, ๐—’๐—ˆ๐—Ž ๐–บ๐—‹๐–พ ๐–บ๐—…๐—๐–บ๐—’๐—Œ ๐—๐–พ๐—…๐–ผ๐—ˆ๐—†๐–พ ๐–ป๐–บ๐–ผ๐—„ ๐—๐—ˆ ๐—’๐—ˆ๐—Ž๐—‹ ๐—๐—ˆ๐—†๐–พ๐—๐—ˆ๐—๐—‡

by Brent E. Frazier
This content is for subscribers only. Log in or sign up for a free trial below.

By Brent E. Frazier, mayor
City of Pelican Rapids 

The 2024-2025 school year concluded with graduation commencement May 23. 
As our students prepared for the last week of classroom activities, there was a lot of โ€œhustle and bustleโ€ that took place.
Cramming for final exams to get oneโ€™s GPA from a C+ to a B or an A- to an A can take a lot of โ€œburning of the midnight oilโ€ as the wheels of the mind turn in constant motion. 
Then again, school is not just for learning book knowledge, but also the opportunity to grow in social skills and learn several general ideas and principles that can be applied throughout oneโ€™s lifetime.  
Interaction with others can make one a stronger individual, think โ€œoutside the box,โ€ and become a collaborator in the presence of others.
However, amid all the learning and academic pursuits taking place within the confines of the classroom walls, there are many other activities related to the genesis of being a student.
As adults, we now have the opportunity to partake in our childrenโ€™s and grandchildrenโ€™s track and field events at both the elementary, junior, and high school levels.
Spring choral and band concerts are always a joy to attend this time of year.  Under the direction of their prestigious directors, students sing and play their instruments as upcoming virtuosos in their professional-looking manner. 
Come springtime, many sporting events are jammed into a very short timeframe.  They were all planned many months in advance and always subject to change with the volatile spring weather as provided by Mother Nature.  
We can follow our local Pelican Rapids High School sports teams as they compete in softball, baseball, dance, spring soccer, golf, and track & field.
We also hear about events and competition contests of the math team, speech team, knowledge bowl, and the FFA, 
With the last day of school scheduled for May 21, many plans and much preparation behind the scenes took place prior to the Pelican Rapids High School Commencement Exercise on May 23. 
To all the Senior Graduates, we say โ€œthank you.โ€ Thank you for the school and community memories that you have provided for all of us.
Some of you will go on to college, some of you to a vocational school, some of you to the military, and some of you to the workforce.  
As you now seek other opportunities in your future, we hope that you will always consider Pelican Rapids as your hometown.  
If you should relocate after high school, please remember that you are always welcome back to Pelican Rapids.
We hope that you will always say, โ€œPelican Rapids Really Makes Me Feel At Home.โ€