Seniors honored during ceremony

NEW STATUE OF WINFIELD

A bronze statue of Baseball Hall of Famer David Winfield was unveiled on May 30, 2026 at Toni Stone Field in St. Paul, honoring the Rondo native who became one of the most decorated players in MLB history and one of its most committed philanthropists. Winfield graduated from Central High School and joined the Gophers baseball team while at the University of Minnesota. Winfield became the only college player drafted by four professional teams in three different sports, and opted to pursue baseball. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.

The new Winfield statue joins statues of three fellow city natives: Jack Morris, Paul Molitor and Joe Mauer on the field’s Hall of Fame Plaza. There is also a statue of Stone, the first woman and Black female to play men’s professional baseball, who once lived in St. Paul.

The annual Winfield Awards were established in 1977 to recognize Black students and other students of color who excel in academics, athletics and community service.

Audio

Seniors honored during ceremony_Eric Erickson.mp3

The class of 2026 celebrated their achievements in front of family and friends in the Como Auditorium on May 21 at the annual Senior Honors Night. This year’s senior class consistently displayed school spirit and positive energy, which made the event joyful and memorable for all those recognized on the stage.

Nearly 100 students earned academic cords for grade distinctions of Cum Laude or higher. Cords were also distributed for Advanced Placement Scholars, student council leadership, and community service. Each academic department honored two students of distinction, and extracurricular awards were also distributed to selected honorees.

Highlights of the evening included presentations of college tuition scholarships from community partners and institutions. Ranging from $500 to $25,000, students were rightfully excited to receive those investments for their postsecondary education.

Winfield Award winners
Seniors Sofia Gonzalez and Jonas Tetevi were Como’s recipients of the Winfield Awards which were founded 50 years ago by St. Paul Central graduate and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield.
The Winfield Awards honor two student-athletes of color from each of 10 high schools in St. Paul and send them off to college with an academic scholarship.

Gonzalez played tennis and golf during her time at Como while participating in student council, theater, and excelling in college-level coursework. She will attend DePaul University in Chicago.
Tetevi was a football and basketball captain, varsity track runner, president of the student council, and an outstanding student in college-level courses. He will continue his studies at Century College.

Graduation ceremony
Como graduates, staff and families filled the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown St. Paul on June 3 for the school’s 46th commencement ceremony.

The student commencement address was delivered by Tarsys Morales, Sofia Gonzalez, and Rihanna Said. The staff commencement address was given by assistant principal Dr. Talisha Jackson. The Como band, orchestra, and choir performed beautifully.

State Track Qualifiers
The Cougar track and field teams had exceptional performances at the St. Paul City Conference Meet, highlighted by both the girls and boys 4 x 100 relay teams taking the city title. In total, Como runners collected first place medals in eight different events.

At the Section 4AA Meet, junior Charlie Loth won both the 3200 and 1600 meters. Senior Ben Clark finished second in the 3200. (The top two from each event qualify for the state meet.) Junior Tate Prinsen qualified for state in both hurdling races (110 and 300 meters).

Summer School
The Como campus will be busy this summer with activities such as the Como Tennis Club, the Cougar Strength and Conditioning program, and optional off-season practices for student-athletes.

The building itself will be the center of credit recovery for students from across St. Paul Public Schools. All high schoolers in the district who are behind on academic credits will have the opportunity to receive support in completing their courses. Summer school will run from June 23 to July 23.