Friday, September 20, 2024
Serving Algoma, Casco, Kewaunee, Luxemburg and all of Kewaunee County
A year after most high school graduation ceremonies in Wisconsin were either called off, held drive-by style or otherwise heavily limited because of the COVID-19 pandemic, graduates of the Class of 2021 will gather to toss their caps into the air at ceremonies across the state in the coming week.
Of course, many ceremonies still will require some limitations and health precautions related to the pandemic, especially those held indoors. Here's a look at graduation ceremonies for Kewaunee County high schools and their valedictorians and salutatorians.
The graduation ceremony for the 39-student Algoma High School Class of 2021 will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 23 in the Fulwiler Fieldhouse (the high school gymnasium). Attendance is limited to four tickets per graduate, and face masks and social distancing are required for those attending.
Payton Panger is the class valedictorian and Hannah Lee is salutatorian.
Panger is a National Honor Society member who was named to the highest honor roll all four years of high school and earned an academic letter. She also earned varsity letters in track and field, volleyball and basketball. Panger will attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with an undecided major.
Lee was named to the high honor roll all four years of high school and earned four academic letters. Lee also was captain of the math team and softball team and earned a band letter. She now will attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a major in accountancy.
The graduation ceremony for the 157-student Luxemburg-Casco Class of 2021 is scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 26 on the football field; it will move into the gymnasium in case of inclement weather.
The ceremony will adhere to public health recommendations from Kewaunee County. Because it is being held outdoors, there is no limit on attendance, although social distancing will be enforced. If the event moves indoors, attendance will be limited to two guests per students and face masks and social distancing will be required.
The class valedictorian is Madelyn Leppiaho, the daughter of John and Angie Leppiaho of Luxemburg. Salutatorian is Kayla Dufek, daughter of Larry and Patricia Dufek of New Franken.
Leppiaho was valedictorian all four years of high school, is a National Honor Society member and was recognized with an AP Scholar Award. She served as senior class treasurer and junior class vice-president and was a student representative on the L-C Board of Education.
Leppiaho also was a four-year band member and part of a woodwind ensemble that won a first-place award in the state Solo/Ensemble competition. She was captain of the dance team and a Badger Girls State member. She participated in the school musical and variety show and was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) clubs. Leppiaho also served as a mentor for the Talls and Smalls and freshman programs, as well as volunteering in the community.
Leppiaho will attend Carthage College and work toward a bachelor's degree in political science, after which she plans to attend law school to become either a family or immigration lawyer.
The district also recognizes a past graduate each year at the ceremony with a Distinguished Alumni Award. The 2021 recipient is Deb Marcelle, a 1973 graduate who subsequently taught in the district for 36 years, from 1980 through 2015.
Four valedictorians will be recognized when Kewaunee High School graduates its 81-student Class of 2021 at 6 p.m. Friday, May 28 in the school's Competition Gym. Attendance is limited to four guests per family, and families that share the same residence may sit together. Face masks will be required and attendees will be reminded to social distance. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the "Kewaunee School District" YouTube channel.
The four valedictorians are Chelsea Dax, Cierra Brann, Elizabeth Lamack and Jack Severin.
Dax is a National Honor Society and Spanish NHS member. She is graduating with a 4.0 grade-point average and served as a class officer and on the student council. Dax was involved in softball; volleyball; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; HOSA-Future Health Professionals; and the Gifted & Talented program.
Outside of school, Dax volunteered for school events and with Special Olympics. She said the Special Olympics work was important to her because she grew up with a cousin and friends who have special needs, and those experiences inspired her to pursue her intended career path.
Dax will attend UW-Stevens Point with a double major in special education and early childhood education.
Brann played basketball, softball and volleyball and was a member of SkillsUSA, Future Business Leaders of America and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She will attend UW-Whitewater to pursue an accounting degree and hopes to be a certified public accountant.
Lamack is a National Honor Society and Spanish NHS member, graduating with a 4.0 grade-point average. She was a member of numerous clubs, including Future Business Leaders of America; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; and Junior Optimists. Lamack was a class officer and student council member, participated in the school play, and was a member of the cross-country, track, basketball, math and forensics teams.
Lamack will attend UW-Madison and major in psychology. After attaining her degree, she plans to pursue a master's and become a licensed therapist.
Severin was part of the Storm's football, baseball and wrestling teams. In wrestling, he qualified for the WIAA state championship tournament all four years of school and was a two-time state champion. Graduating with a 4.0 grade-point average, Severin also served as class vice-president and is a National Honor Society and Spanish NHS member. He participated in the Bigs/Littles mentoring program of Big Brothers & Big Sisters.
Severin will attend UW-Madison, where he signed a letter of intent as a preferred walk-on to the wrestling team, and will major in finance and accounting.
Contact Christopher Clough at 920-741-7952, 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Here's your guide to Kewaunee County high school graduations, and Class of 2021 leaders
