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Graduation night in Ely will follow local tradition, although with more people on stage than there were a year ago.
Ely Memorial High School’s graduating class of 2025 is scheduled to gather Friday night, at Washington Auditorium, for an event that begins at 7 p.m.
The auditorium has been the longtime traditional home of Ely’s graduation ceremonies, except for a three-year hiatus from 20202022 when outdoor events were held, first because of the Covid-19 pandemic and then because of the school’s renovation project.
This year’s senior class includes 49 graduates.
While still one of the smaller groups in the school’s 100-year history, the number of graduates far exceeds last year’s total of 33.
The group is high-achieving, with 17 members carrying grade-point averages of 3.5 or above and many contributing to successful school sports teams and fine arts activities.
Before receiving their diplomas Friday night, the Class of 2024 will take part in a commencement that’s similar to those in recent years.
Students generally have selected one of their teachers to give the commencement address, but they’ve veered course slightly this year.
Tom Coombe, the high school athletic director and longtime local baseball coach and editor of the Ely Echo, is set to address the graduates.
Coombe has overseen the school’s athletic department for the last 10 years, and has deep ties both to the school and community.
Also as part of the ceremony, senior Carena DeBeltz will speak on behalf of the class, while both the pop choir and high school band will perform.
Assistant Principal Jeff Carey will present the class to superintendent/principal Anne Oelke, board chair Rochelle Sjoberg and board member Jen Westlund, who will participate in presenting diplomas.
Those recognized as honor students include DeBeltz, Noah Anderson, Caid Chittum, Max Cochran, Anna Dunn, Mishaben Goswami, Presley Hudson, Tory Hughley, Rena Johnston, Maija Mattson, Wyatt Mattson, Milo McClelland, Janae Murphy, Lillian Rechichi, Chloyann Ridings, Garrett Rohr, Ava Sundell and Clare Thomas.
The honor students were part of a group that collected over $140,000 in scholarships earlier this month at the school’s awards day. Approximately 90 scholarship winners were announced during a ceremony at Washington Auditorium.
