Perpich Arts High School Graduation 2025

May 23, 2025

The Perpich Arts High School Class of 2025 graduated on May 23 in a ceremony at the Ames Center in Burnsville, Minnesota. The ceremony was also livestreamed on Facebook. Perpich is proud to announce that 100% of the Class of 2025 graduated. Danny Schiffer (Literary Arts 2025) served as Student Speaker and Math Instructor, Amy Burge, gave the faculty speech. The audience, both in-person and virtual, was treated to presentations by each art area.

Graduation Student Speaker Danny Schiffer (Literary Arts 2025)

During his opening speech, Schiffer touched on the ways that he grew while at Perpich. “At Perpich, I grew in ways I did not expect. I changed. While the predictable happened, I changed my writing from fanfic level to something I can be proud of, the change was much more than that,” he said. “Through the bonds I made with the very special students here, my peers, my world has become much more focused on hope. I sometimes struggle to wrap my head around how much I changed when I left a school that didn’t really understand me and came to Perpich, where they don’t claim to understand me, but listened anyway. Changing my environment changed everything. I changed with the tutelage of my teachers, always pushing me to make art that expressed exactly what I wanted to express. And I changed with the encouragement of my classmates who supported every strange, half-baked project idea I thought of. In making art that was genuine to myself, I changed myself. I became that expression of truth. With the support of my teachers and friends, every class I took here reframed my world.”

Amy Burge, Math Instructor, delighted the audience during her faculty speech with mind-blowing math facts about the number 2025 and a Perpich-version of Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” complete with choreography for the entire audience.

Amy Burge, Math Instructor, delivered the faculty speech

“I know that graduation’s strange
You spend 12 years prepping for this special day
And I’ve heard, a lot of you complain
About the stress of doing work every single day.

But you all stayed the course, you saw the end in reach
You’ve earned your credits with A, B, C’s and D’s
You’ve made your family proud,
they’re going to cause a scene
You in your cap and gown, makes everybody scream

Oh, you’re finally done!
You’ve done all the work
It’s time to move on.
Oh, it’s been lots of fun
But this isn’t real
It’s time to move on now from

Perpich Arts High School
You’re graduating from
Perpich Arts High School”

(L to R) Perpich Executive Director Allegra Smisek, Assistant Principal George Terry Jr., Principal Rebecca Bullen

During her closing remarks, Principal Rebecca Bullen reflected on the character and value of the Class of 2025. “In witnessing your growth – your empathy, your resilience, your willingness to engage with complexity – I’ve seen the kind of character that doesn’t just react to the world, but helps shape it,” said Bullen. “As you step into this next chapter of your life, I hope you remember this: the world will always have its opinions about who you are. And far too often, those opinions are formed in a fraction of a second. Studies show it takes just 1/10th of a second for someone to make a judgment. So ask yourself: why allow such a fleeting, ill-informed perspective to define you?
You are so much more than any quick glance can capture. You are an artist, a voice, a unique spirit with boundless potential. Trust in your creativity, your vision, and in the power of your story. The world is waiting for you to share your truth, your talent, your creative expression. Never doubt your worth, your ability to create, or your place in this world. You are deserving of all the happiness, success, and joy life has to offer. I want to remind you, Class of 2025: You are seen. You are valued. You matter – not just for what you create, but for who you are.”

At her first Perpich graduation ceremony as executive director, Allegra Smisek said that nothing could have truly prepared her for her first Perpich graduation experience. “Perpich is a place where students and adults alike can be the most authentic and boldest versions of themselves,” said Smisek. “That sentiment was on full display as graduating seniors filled the auditorium, wearing outfits that reflected their individuality on this special day. Whether students donned a traditional black cap and gown or a grand cape with a crown, each look told its own story – each one worthy of a standing ovation.”

During the ceremony, Smisek paid special tribute to Lola Perpich, one of our founding visionaries, who passed away in early May. “Lola’s advocacy helped bring this agency into being,” said Smisek. “She once said, ‘Art is not a frill. It is the soul of a people.’ Her belief lives on in each of you – your work, your voices, your brilliance. This year, we celebrate 40 years of Lola and Rudy Perpich’s vision and you are the living legacy of that dream.”

Special thanks to the Graduation Committee for all their work to make this year’s ceremony a memorable one!