NEW ROCKFORD, N.D. - Many students are picking out what they'll wear to their graduations. But in New Rockford, one girl is choosing between two large milestones.
Heather Tollefson is a 4.0 student who loves sports as well as math.
"I've never had a B," she says
She's done so well academically, she's one of the valedictorians graduating out of New Rockford and Sheyenne Public School.
"It's kind of hard to believe at first. I've been with my 18 classmates since kindergarten pretty much all of them."
ADVERTISEMENT
Tollefson also excels on the track, earning a trip to state for long jump this weekend in Bismarck.
"The long jump competition is at 1 on Saturday and my high school graduation is at 2 on Saturday."
Since the cities are over two hours apart, Tollefson has to decide which once in a life time accomplishment to attend.
Heather: "This definitely a tough situation. Probably the toughest decision I've had to make."
The North Dakota High School Activities Association told Tollefson there is no way an exception or change can be made for her and the meet will go on with or without her.
"Which is understandable. Given that if they make an exception for me, they have to be able to do that for everyone else," Heather says.
WDAZ spoke with the school's athletic director Debra Burgud, who says Heather shouldn't have to be in this situation. The school's teaching staff approved the academic calendar before it was sent to the school board for the final approval.
Heather says she's been talking to the school board about this issue since February. Next year the school's graduation will move back to Sunday. And no other students will have to face this problem.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I finally did realize that it is an issue and I was hoping that there would be a solution to it that can't seem to be found," she says
She says she has not yet decided which event she will be attending and missing.
"It's kind of a lose-lose situation either way. I've been advised to pick the one that I will least regret in the future which is hard to tell too," Heather says.
With the meet and graduation just days away Tollefson knows it may be a long jump, but hopes there will be a way to do both.
