Eden Prairie‘s elementary schools welcomed special visitors on the final day of school — members of Eden Prairie’s class of 2023.
Ahead of their formal graduation ceremony later that evening on Thursday, June 8, many Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) seniors returned to their elementary schools for a special “walk through the halls” event.
Graduates who did not attend elementary school in Eden Prairie were invited to attend the events with their friends.
“It’s a powerful chance for our youngest Eagles to see what they will someday achieve, and for our oldest students to remember where their journeys started,” the district said in an email to families.
Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) photographer Gretchen Haynes was on hand at Oak Point Elementary and Eagle Heights Spanish immersion to capture the happy faces of excited elementary students and proud soon-to-be graduates.
Editor’s note: EPLN offers additional coverage of the EPHS graduation, capturing the students’ waiting to journey from the high school to Target Field for the Thursday ceremony, as well as the ceremony itself.
Brent Pottinger, a fifth grade teacher at Oak Point Elementary, poses with several of his former students after the Senior Walk at Oak Point Elementary on June 8. 
Pottinger poses with Mia Cain, a graduating senior from Eden Prairie High School, while holding the cup Mia made for him when she was his student. Mia visited Pottinger after participating in the Senior Walk at Oak Point Elementary on June 8. 
Pottinger reads the inscription on the cup EPHS senior Mia Cain made for him while she was his student. 
Seniors who attended Oak Point Elementary gather in front of the school on June 8. 
Four of the Eden Prairie High School seniors walk under the Oak Point Elementary and Eagle and Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion sign after they finished the Senior Walk at the school on June 8. 
Seniors who attended Oak Point Elementary walk through the halls on the last day of school while the current students cheer for them on June 8. 
Seniors who attended Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion walk through the halls on the last day of school while the current students cheer for them on June 8. 
All of the seniors who attended Oak Point and Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion gather for a group photo in front of the school on June 8.
