Special one student graduation at Finley-Sharon Public School

FINLEY, N.D. (Valley News Live) – It wasn’t your typical high school graduation in Finley, North Dakota, on Sunday, May 25.

At Finley-Sharon Public School, there was a high school graduating class of one student.

Bryson Kirk was the only student who graduated.

“It’s kind of cool. I like the small classroom size,” said Bryson Kirk.

Bryson still had some company as he partnered with students a grade below him for most of his classes.

Bryson’s mom knew from the very beginning that Finley-Sharon Public School was the school for him.

“It was just obvious he would go to school here,” said Penny Kirk, Bryson’s mom.

Penny couldn’t be happier for her son.

“I’m proud that he’s the only one,” said Penny Kirk.

Bryson wasn’t the only student in classrooms when he went to school. There have been as many as seven students in his classes.

In the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, there were two students in Bryson’s grade.

“One dropped out so then he became the only one!” said Penny Kirk.

Faculty and teachers at Finley-Sharon Public School say that it was a pleasure to have Bryson attend their school.

His high school degree was handed over to him by his mom in what made for a special moment.

Bryson plans to work as a mechanic at Finley Motor Sports. He learned part of his mechanical skills in one of the classes he took.

Copyright 2025 KVLY. All rights reserved.