ARDEN HILLS, Minn. -- Seniors at Minnehaha Academy are celebrating graduation while reflecting on a school year that started with tragedy.
Sunday night, more than 75 seniors filed into Bethel University for graduation.
"In a difficult year you have demonstrated how to turn pain and disappointment into hopefulness, resilience and joy," Minnehaha Academy President Donna Harris said.
August 2, 2017, a natural gas explosion destroyed part of Minnehaha Academy's Upper School in Minneapolis. The explosion killed secretary Ruth Berg and custodian John Carlson.
"You'll never forget either one of them," said Jason Wenschlag, Upper School principal.
Students, 9-12 grade, spent this past school year on the former Sanford-Brown College campus in Mendota Heights.
"It was kind of tough because I had a lot of memories in that building. A lot of friendships were made over there. But we still had school, we still had... the same people. Our community was still strong," said senior Hussein Farah.
Senior Emrik Mundschenk added, "It kind of just showed how close we've been for a long time."
While the building is smaller than what students are used, Wenschlag said it allowed everyone to really get to know each other.
"The school year went a lot faster than I thought after the explosion. I thought that it would be a slow journey but after the first few weeks of getting adjusted to the new school, we really adapted well," said senior Nathan Radtke.
Construction on the rebuild of the Upper School is expected to start this month. School officials have preliminary exterior renderings but the design phase is still in progress.
"When you're in this position as a principal, as a teacher, and even as a kid and a parent, you kind of move forward. You have to. You have to move forward. I think we did that," Wenschlag said.
During the graduation, several speakers brought up the explosion and how their faith helped them through a tough time.
"I've been taught how to really look to Christ and find hope in Him and through Him to get through difficult situations and that's something our community has really taught me through this experience," said senior Grace Percich.
Wenschlag said they hope to be back at the Upper School by fall 2019.