On Wednesday night, Josh Sorvik received his diploma at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center with the rest of his East High School graduating class, the culmination of 13 years of hard work.

Most days, though, the 18-year-old measures his successes in smaller increments.

For instance, on Monday he was able to remove the brace he's worn for two months around his midsection to keep his bones from twisting.

Ha, ha I'm free, Josh said as he ripped off the white brace decorated with a picture of Spiderman by one of his friends. I haven't been able to sit up without that thing since the accident.

Even without the brace, Josh has a constant reminder of the March 29 fall at Spirit Mountain that stole the use of the lower half of his body: the wheelchair he uses to get around.

In many ways, Josh Sorvik's entire graduating class has been touched by tragedy. Principal Laurie Knapp reflected this week on the challenges faced by the Class of 2009.

Luke Hylden, another East senior, died of a drug overdose four days before Josh's accident. Classmates filled the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary for Luke's funeral even as Josh lay in a hospital bed, learning that he had severed his back.

The year before, another classmate, Tim Russell, died of medical problems, Knapp said.

This class has had a rough go of it, but they have also shown a lot of perseverance, Knapp said. This class has always been pretty close, but when tragedies like this happen, it brings them even closer. They've stepped up in really positive and uplifting ways.

Students poured energy into fundraisers for the affected students and their families, Knapp said. In addition, they sold green rubber bracelets in honor of Hylden and Sorvik this spring that read: Never forget, never give up.

I am just so proud of this class and the leadership they have given to the rest of the school, and the support they have given to each other, Knapp said.

For Josh's dad, Jeff Sorvik, a pastor at Anchor Point Church, graduation day is a reminder that normal still applies to his family.

I think for us it is one of those milestones that remind us that life goes on, he said.

Even as he has gone through rehabilitation, Josh did the necessary coursework to graduate with his friends. But his personal life sometimes overshadowed graduation.

I haven't thought about it nearly as much as I probably would have before, he acknowledged, but I am definitely excited to still be able to do it with all my friends. It would have been a bummer if I hadn't finished.

His education of late has included relearning all the tasks he used to take for granted, such as getting himself dressed and getting up and down stairs.

Some things are more frustrating than others. Figuring out how to use the bathroom without any feeling from his mid-back down has been one of his greatest hurdles, Josh said, and he gets tired of constantly needing to push out of his chair to make sure he doesn't get bed sores.

It's still hard to realize this is my life now. I am not freaking out as much as I was, he said. Acceptance is getting there, but it's still hard.

To help, he has been trying to push himself to do some of the thing he used to do, such as watching movies with friends and going to bonfires. He even went to prom with his longtime girlfriend a bittersweet experience, Josh said, because it reminded him he can no longer do the nutty dance moves I used to, sitting in a wheelchair.

In his low moments, Josh said he clings to his positive attitude, his faith in God and the overwhelming support he's received from friends, family and the community.

It is always a battle every day to stay in the right frame of mind, he said.

Knapp said that determination will carry Josh through to college this fall at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Between now and then, he just wants to enjoy the summer. The adventure junkie plans to go mountain biking on a bicycle built for paraplegics, as well as kayaking and camping. Ask him if he's nervous about getting back out there, and he doesn't even hesitate.

I already broke my back, so I figure it can't get a whole lot worse, Josh said. There's a lot I'm going to do.

January 31, 2026