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Meet the 2026 Rdale graduates.As they prepare to turn the page on their high school careers, Armstrong and Cooper seniors are eagerly anticipating what's next while looking back fondly on their favorite campus memories.The Robbinsdale Armstrong and Robbinsdale Cooper high school commencement ceremonies will take place Friday, May 29, at the Minneapolis Convention Center.Armstrong’s graduation is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., followed by the Cooper ceremony at 6 p.m.Vision Wonken Robbinsdale Cooper High School What was your most memorable learning experience during your time in high school?My high school experience has been a time of physical and mental growth from self-doubt and uncertainty to a state of acceptance and accomplishments.Throughout high school, I became president of Cooper's DECA club, a pole vaulter and a couple of years of being in high school, a published author for my school roundelay and so much more.I have grown so much since my freshman year and when I look back at it.I feel so proud for the kid who made this far in a total of four years.Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman-year self?It would be "Be dedicated, never give up and to always have hope because it takes you so far to places you wouldn't even imagine yourself at." What are your plans after graduating?After high school, I plan on going to North Dakota State University and majoring in finance/accounting; apart from me winning multiple scholarships.I also plan on being a book author and having my writing inspire future generations.I want to thank my family, friends and teachers for their immense support over the years.Mandy Wu Robbinsdale Cooper High School What was your most memorable learning experience during your time in high school?My most memorable learning experience would have to be learning how to march when I first joined Cooper’s marching band.Marching isn’t hard, but it taught me to be comfortable with stepping out of my comfort zone and be a part of something big.I made some of the best memories in marching band and it benefitted my high school experience.Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman-year self?To my freshman self, don't be scared to join new things and take opportunities.It will only give you a chance to grow and learn more about yourself.Taking opportunities will enhance your high school experience.What are your plans after graduating?I plan to attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in the fall, and major in political science.I want to attend law school after getting my bachelor’s degree and become an immigration lawyer.Aijah Jones Robbinsdale Cooper High School What was your most memorable learning experience during your time in high school?With my years here in high school, one of my most memorable learning experiences was in choir learning songs in different languages other than English.Our choir teacher, Mrs.Rowan, taught us about each song's composer and how you correctly pronounce things.Classmates who grew up speaking those languages helped us master how to pronounce the words in the music.It was great to learn about different cultures and then share what we learned with the audience at choir concerts.It definitely made me appreciate the diversity in music and everywhere I go!Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman-year self?To not worry about others and how they might feel about you because you'll meet people (other students) that are just as expressive, funny, and amazing as you that won't judge you for being yourself no matter how you act.Also with the teachers, allow yourself to not take offense to being told to get something done multiple times because it's just them trying to help you succeed because they actually care and want the best for you, even if they are being hard on you.Being yourself is the best option!What are your plans after graduating?I've decided not to go to college.I will be working at a senior living home and might get a second job alongside that.The jobs I will be looking for are ones that have to do with moving and not sitting all day.My current job that's all I'm doing which is OK because I love it there!I will also be exploring different things I've never done before for personal growth while hanging with friends and family.With what's going on in the world I'd like to also be involved in the community and volunteer just anything I can do to help stop things that aren't right.Overall, living my best life to spend my time right after high school and having fun and enjoying every second of it while also making sure my future looks great because I love life and the positive things it brings.Vanessa Avalos Robbinsdale Cooper High School What was your most memorable learning experience during your time in high school?My most memorable learning experience during my time in high school was seeing how I proved myself wrong.I always struggled in math as I failed both semesters of Geometry and Algebra 1.So despite my past struggles in math, I chose Functions Stats and Trig for my senior year elective.I knew it would be a challenge, but I wanted to show myself I was capable of doing better.Maintaining an A the whole school year made me feel proud and it also revealed to me that I was not the overall problem but the teachers I’ve had in the past.Wraspir did an amazing job explaining each unit and lessons she taught.She made it easy to follow along, and was always there to answer our questions.Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman-year self?Knowing what I know now, the advice I would give my freshman-year self would be to not be afraid to ask for help.Being an introvert, I didn’t bother asking for help but I would get points taken off for miscommunication with the teacher.Asking for help could benefit you or it might not, but you won’t lose anything from it.Another thing is something I still struggle with to this day which is to not procrastinate schoolwork because it will take longer to do your work.Lastly, I would like to tell myself that I will have to prioritize school over friendships.What are your plans after graduating?My plan after I graduate is working at Crystal Cove Aquatic Center.It will be my second year working there but this time as a cashier and at concessions.During the fall I will go to North Hennepin Community College to take Health Science Broad Field AS.As I would explore my interests further and then I will go into another college to get into a sonography program.I am excited to see where my choices led me, because I am still unsure what my plans are.I hope to become a sonographer since that’s been my only interest since middle school, and I want to do something in my life that I actually enjoy.Robert Nichols Robbinsdale Cooper High School What was your most memorable learning experience during your time in high school?My most memorable learning experience was in my EMT class.We were doing scenarios to practice our skills that we learned in class.After the skills, I was talking to my instructor about how it went, and he was telling me what I could do to be better.It was at this moment that I realized that this is something I like doing and could see myself doing as a career, not just as a class.This is all thanks to my instructor Rich, who not only inspired me but also many others to also follow this path.Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman-year self?I would tell my freshman year self to do what he wants to do.There are a lot of opportunities in high school that you won't find anywhere else.The free college from PSEO and the electives that are really fun, like clay, cooking, and engineering.So you should do the classes you want; that way you enjoy going to school.What are your plans after graduating?After graduation, I plan to work as a EMT and eventually go back to school to become a paramedic.