Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
THE LUTHER L. Wright class of 2024 celebrates after their graduation with a hat toss on Longyear Field.
By MEGAN HUGHES
IRONWOOD- The Ironwood Area Schools celebrated their 134th commencement ceremony on Friday.
The ceremony began with the processional, accompanied by music performed by the high school band.
K-12 principal Melissa Nigh welcomed the audience to the ceremony and congratulated the students for their accomplishments. She spoke about how this year's senior prank was one to remember, as the school was glitter bombed by the seniors.
Following the welcome, superintendent Travis Powell recognized the efforts of the students, and thanked those in attendance for being present for their students.
He recognized that the ceremony was marking the beginning of the Luther L Wright High School centennial celebration, and that the school was planning for a year of activities to teach the public about the history of the school and how it has changed over the years.
He said that this summer the school is planning events alongside of Festival Ironwood, including tours of the school for the public,
"On May 1, 1924, construction crews broke ground on this site," he said, "it was so architecturally significant that it was featured in Architectural Digest."
Local historian and artist Larry Peterson created an illustration of the school in honor of the celebration, which was featured on the handouts at the ceremony.
According to the school's website, the school will be celebrating their official centennial kick off at Festival Ironwood on July 19, with building tours on July 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with tours starting on the hour.
For more information about the centennial celebration, visit ironwoodschools.org.
This year's guest speaker was Bonnie Bissell, Ironwood's middle school/high school science teacher. She spoke about some of her memories with the students, recounting several of her favorites from her time as instructor.
"You have to remember, that you won't always be everybody's cup of tea," she said in her speech. "And that is okay."
She spoke about how life will throw all sorts of people at you, and how every one has things that are important to them, and that it is important to keep that in mind while remembering what is important to you.
Following the ceremony, the graduates made their way out onto Longyear Field, where they celebrated their graduation with the annual tradition of the cap toss.
