Class of ’24 set to graduate

Class of ’24 set to graduate 33 students set to walk across the stage at Washington Auditorium

Graduation night in Ely will follow local tradition.

Ely Memorial High School’s graduating class of 2024 will 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 2020-2022 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 is small in size - at least in relation to the school’s 100-year history - with 33 graduates set to walk across the stage and receive diplomas.

The group is high-achieving, with 13 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 eyars.

Students generally have selected one of their teachers to give the commencement address and Tim Hogan will do the honors this week.

An Ely native and graduate of Memorial’s Class of 1990, Hogan returned home several years ago and is an industrial arts teacher at the school.

Seniors Grace LaTourell and Ava Skustad will speak on behalf of the class, while both the pop choir and high school band will perform.

Principal Jeff Carey will present the class to superintendent Anne Oelke, board chairman Ray Marsnik and board member Hollee Coombe, who will participate in presenting diplomas.

Those recognized as honor students include LaTourell, Skustad, Chase Anderson, Esther Anderson, Claire Blauch, Aubree Gerlovich, Abigail Johnson, Brielle Lindland, Gavin Marshall, Deegan Richards, Isabelle Schiltz, Leo Stalmer and Sarah Visser.

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.