They’ve achieved in the classroom and in athletics and activities and made their own distinct mark on the Ely school system.
But there’s still one last task remaining for Ely Memorial High School’s graduating class of 2026.
Members will receive their diplomas Friday night, at Washington Auditorium, starting at 7 p.m.
Graduation night in Ely will follow local tradition, although with fewer people on stage than this time a year ago.
This year’s senior class includes 37 graduates, down from 49 in 2025.
The group is high-achieving, with 14 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 2026 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.
Sheila Angus, a longtime school employee, is set to address the graduates.
Also as part of the ceremony, seniors Cylvia De-Beltz and Alison Poppler 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 and board member Erin Moravitz handing out diplomas.
Those recognized as honor students are: DeBeltz, Poppler, Otto Devine, Manoline Dumensil, Jesse Grant, Tatum Gubrud, Sabrah Hart, Makenzi Huntington, Alyssa Ice, Andrew Johnson, Lyla Kelley, Zoe MacKenzie, Ella Perish, Sadie Rechichi, John Schiltz, Edward Swapinski and Chance Wavrin.
The honor students were part of a group that collected over $180,000 in scholarships earlier this month at the school’s awards day, as dozens of scholarships were distributed during a ceremony at the auditorium.
And in a change from tradition, the all-night graduation party will not take place after better than 30 years in existence.
Instead the graduates took part in the first “Great Grad Getaway,” on Monday, traveling to Duluth by charter bus for a day of fun, activities and prizes.
