Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By TOM LAVENTURE
MERCER, Wis. — The celebration of 14 Mercer Public School graduates will be moving, literally, with spectators congratulating the students from passing cars and trucks.
The school announced this week that the tribute to the graduates will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 24.
Vehicles with families, friends, and community members will drive slowly along Margaret Street where the seniors will be on the sidewalk to receive the public tribute, said Natalie Allen, office secretary. The state’s shutdown order still prohibits any education related activity to be held in the school building, she said.
“We are going to have the kids line up safely distanced and in their caps and gowns to allow the community and families to drive by and to offer congratulations, honk horns and hold up cards,” Allen said. “People will not be allowed to get out of their cars.”
It isn’t known yet if the lineup will start on the south end of the street at Lakeview Avenue and Library Street, she said. The Iron County Sheriff’s Office and Mercer Fire Department will lead the procession and offer directions. There will also be signage and barriers set up, she said.
The graduating seniors will have their last day of school on Friday. The rest of the school will continue distance learning through May 29.
“We’re excited for these seniors,” Allen said.
The graduates will have a scholarship night and an in-person diploma ceremony as soon as it is determined safe to do so, said Sheri Kopka, interim district administrator. The planning for the drive-thru ceremony is still tentative as information coming from the state changes daily, she said.
“I am very proud of this class and everything they have been through,” Kopka said. “We are trying to honor them while keeping them and the community safe.”
For more information, contact Mercer Public School at 715-476-2154.
