Prior Lake High School and Bridges Area Learning Center’s class of 2023 commencement ceremony will be held on a Thursday this year and will be graduating almost 800 eager seniors.

The PLHS and BALC commencement ceremony is slated to begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, at Dan Patch Stadium, 7575 150th St. W, at the high school.

According to district officials, PLHS will be graduating 731 graduates and BALC will be graduating 57, making it a total of 788 graduates.

PLHS Principal John Bezek said he is proud of the class of 2023 and stated they were a unique class having started high school at the start of the pandemic.

“The class of 2023 began their high school career at the start of the pandemic,” Bezek said. “They have accomplished so much, having persevered through challenges along with the ability to handle adversity – both skills that will help them navigate life after high school. This class has finished the school year strong and will be known for their positive energy.”

This year’s class motto is, “Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us,” by Wilma Rudolph.

The class flower for the class of 2023 is a daffodil, which has a meaning of new beginnings, and their class song is “How They Remember You,” by Rascal Flatts.

This year’s graduating class will also have its senior celebration Tuesday, June 6, at Valleyfair.

For more information of the class of 2023 commencement ceremony, visit https://plhs.plsas.org/student-life/seniors