Former student gives Hopkins High School teacher heartfelt surprise

Former student gives Hopkins High School teacher heartfelt surprise
David Braaten and Lyn King

Business education and personal finance teacher David Braaten had a big surprise walk into his classroom last week. Braaten’s former student Lyn King walked into the classroom with a graduation stole around her neck. She came back to honor him for his impact on her life and education.

Braaten didn’t recognize Lyn immediately, but when she handed him a picture of the two of them at her high school graduation in 1997, he immediately remembered.

“It was so unbelievable to see her standing there and articulating so well her life, academic, and career accomplishments,” Braaten said. “She did it even though she felt the odds were against her. I was in complete awe and so proud of her story!”

King shared the story of her educational journey with the class. Against all odds, she graduated high school and earned a college degree. She credits much of her success to Braaten’s belief in her and his memorable advice: “Education is one thing no one can take away from you.” King now tells her children the same thing.

After speaking to the class, King gave her graduation stole to Braaten in recognition that her degree is as much his as it is hers. It is tradition at North Dakota State University to present the stole to someone else after they cross the graduation stage.

It was a wonderful reminder of the often unseen, life-changing impact educators have on their students, proving that sometimes, a teacher’s encouragement can echo through generations.