Roseville senior to give commencement address

When senior Shahbaz Khan gives the commencement speech Friday night for his graduation from Roseville High School, don’t look for the 17-year-old to be verbose.

Khan said he clocked his talk at four minutes, in a practice session.

The A- and honor roll student said he plans to spend much of his speech talking about the future rather than the past. “I want to inspire students to do great things in the future,” he said. The Roseville High School graduation ceremony is scheduled at 7 p.m Friday at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown St. Paul.

Khan was among several students who competed for commencement speaker. Khan said he tried out for the position, in part, because his brother Shahzad was Roseville High School’s commencement speaker in 2003.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity,” he said,

Khan said feels his high school education has not only prepared himself for the future (he plans to attend the University of St. Thomas to possibly major in engineering) but has helped him grow socially. 

In last year, Khan has participated in the high school talent show, Black History Month variety show and the Mr. RAHS senior male singing and dancing competition. He even found time to take in a dodgeball tournament.

Khan credited his teachers and friends for encouraging him to try some of these extra-curricular activities. It’s all part of the school spirit where he found students enjoying and supporting one another, Khan said.