Horace High School celebrates first graduating class

May 26, 2024

Alex Bertsch,

WEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Students from across the West Fargo Public School District walked the stage for graduation here at Scheels Arena, but for Horace High School, it was also a celebration of their first graduating class.

Over the last four years, students in the class of 2024 made their way up at the school without any upperclassmen.

“We’re kinda known as the “guinea pigs” in terms of Horace since we’re the first class going through, but it’s good. A lot of learning, a lot of change.”

Almanaseer said that the students worked together to build their own culture at Horace.

“I think for us we really built a community, a family, and that’s something that I think is set apart from other schools.”

English teacher Nathan Amberg has been with these students through all four years at Horace High.

He said that while these students had challenges without older students in front of them to emulate and learn from their mistakes, they rose to that challenge.

“There had to be a lot of grace, because there weren’t some of their older kids above them. But at the same time we had to set examples regularly like, “Alright friends, we need to talk about this we need to stop right now because this is not okay.” And they did. They stepped up to the challenge, and it’s been exciting to see.”

Even though it wasn’t all smooth-sailing, he says that these students have left a lasting impact on the school.

“Last week I got to listen to senior speeches, and I had juniors introducing seniors at a banquet we were at. And it was incredible what the seniors mean to the juniors. And I think a lot of that comes down to the fact that in many ways they got through this together. ”

As for Almanaseer, he says that the experiences that he had at Horace High School will stick with him.

“My friends, no matter what I’ve done, they’ve been there for me. We’ve got a lot of stuff to do, it’s been great. Friends, teachers, the community, that’s what Horace is a family. So I’d say it’s the family along the way.”