Champlin Park High School Student Launches Site to Lift Up Graduating Seniors

It’s been a “disheartening” ride for Champlin High School senior Callie Nguyen as she adjusts to life while in quarantine.

“It’s a tough time for everyone right now. There’s a lot of people struggling more than I am with losing jobs, loved ones and in some extreme cases, losing life,” said Callie.

The graduating senior entered her last year of high school with high hopes for prom, spring sports and graduation. But when reality hit, senior year suddenly became murky. Callie said her internship was cancelled and her St. Mary’s University of Minnesota college orientation was moved to being virtual.

But Callie couldn’t let herself dwell on the negatives. Instead the senior took it upon herself to try to encourage the rest of her classmates.

“I was feeling sad and it would be great to have all seniors connect one last time to share memories and lift each other up. That’s the reason I made this site,” Callie explained.

Callie officially launched a Champlin Park Seniors site earlier this week to show students they’re in this together. The site allows any Champlin High School Senior to submit memories, thank you letters and words of encouragement.

On the site, Champlin High student Maddie Kopp shared photos with this message, “These are some memories of me and my friends that I will never forget. From celebrating birthdays and championships to having fun at football games and making AMSR videos in advisory, I know that I will forever hold these people close to my heart forever. <3”

Jade Costello also submitted photos with the caption, “Junior year second tri when I went through my biggest health obstacle. Also, senior year homecoming week from powderpuff, to the football game, to home homecoming royalty to tp night that is definitely a week I will never forget!”

Callie said students are also encouraged to write about where they’re headed after college.

“Things may not go the way that we planned, but we can’t sit around and be sad about it,” Callie said. “There are things we can do and make the best of it, like be positive, keep our heads up a little.”