By Judy Reed

The end of the 2019-20 school year has been anything but normal. In-class learning ended abruptly in March after the COVID-19 virus made its appearance here. In April, the rest of the school year was canceled, though students continued to learn online and from home. The school year is now over, and the senior class of 2020 missed out on many of the things that make a senior year special. So this week, we are celebrating our seniors, as we normally do this time of year. You can find photos of the Class of 2020 from various schools and their highest honors seniors by downloading the following link: 2020 Graduation.pdf

Some schools have given us tentative graduation dates: 

Creative Technologies Academy has a tentative date of June 23 at Red Hawk Stadium. “We are still working out the details, but we will follow the governor’s Phase 4 guidelines for crowd size and social distancing rules,” said retiring Superintendent Dan George. “The guest speaker is Dan Quisenberry, president of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies. As you know, this will be my last ceremony, so I’m thrilled that we get to do this for our seniors who have endured so much this year.”

Cedar Springs Public Schools has a tentative date of June 25 at 7 p.m., according to high school principal Ron Behrenwald.

Tri County Area Schools has two tentative dates with the first one being on Sunday, June 14.  “Not highly likely that one will happen but we also have Sunday, August 2 penciled in,” said Connie Butler, of Tri County.

Algoma Christian School had their graduation on Friday, May 29, with students and their families in the school parking lot, where they also practiced social distancing.

Cedar Springs High School Class of 2017

Graduation Ceremony

Thursday, June 1, 2017   7:00 p.m. 

Red Hawk Stadium
(weather permitting)

Cedar Springs High School

Class of 2017

Graduation Ceremony

Thursday, June 1, 2017

7:00 p.m.

Red Hawk Stadium (weather permitting)

New Beginnings High School

Class of 2017

Graduation Ceremony

Thursday, May 25, 2017

7:00 p.m.

Red Hawk Cafeteria

Congratulations Class of 2016

Erwin Duane Empie, 90, celebrates as he receives his diploma at the Cedar Springs High School graduation. Cedar Springs Superintendent Dr. Laura VanDuyn is behind him. Photo by K. Alvesteffer.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This one is a great example of that! It’s so full of emotion. A World War II Veteran finally got his high school diploma last week and this was his reaction!

Erwin Duane Empie, 90, had waited a long time to get his high school diploma. But the wait was over on Thursday, June 2, when he finally received an honorary diploma from Cedar Springs High School—the school he left in the 1940s so he could serve our country during World War II. He only attended through part of his sophomore year, and enlisted in the Navy in 1944, at age 18.

Mr. Empie received his diploma, along with the class of 2016. The ceremony moved many people in the audience, some of whom posted on our Facebook page, congratulating Mr. Empie on his accomplishment.

But it’s not only Mr. Empie celebrating. Hundreds of students stepped out into a brand new world over the last couple of weeks as they graduated high school and now celebrate what lies ahead. Here in our area, students graduated from Cedar Springs High School, New Beginnings High School, Creative Technologies Academy, Cedar Christian Academy, Algoma Christian School, and Tri County High School.

To see photos of all the top honors students in our area and class photos, click link below to download.

Graduation2016.pdf

Vet will get diploma at graduation

Seaman 2nd Class Erwin Duane Empie, left Cedar Springs High School in 1944 to enlist in the Navy during World War II.

By Judy Reed

Erwin Duane Empie, 90, has waited a long time to get his high school diploma. But the wait will be over on Thursday, June 2, when he finally receives an honorary diploma from Cedar Springs High School—the school he left in the 1940s so he could serve our country during World War II.

According to Erwin’s son, Mike, his father was originally born in Rossford, Ohio to Glenn Empie and Bessie (Smith) Empie. The family later moved to Cedar Springs. He had a brother Paul, and a sister, Marie.

Erwin enlisted in the Navy in 1944 at the age of 18, while attending Cedar Springs High School. He trained at the Naval Training Center near Chicago, Illinois, and served aboard the USS Lexington CV-16. He was a gunner’s mate, and his rank was Seaman 2^nd class, V6. Mike said the ship patrolled mainly in the South China Sea to strike against enemy shipping and air installations.

Erwin served until 1946. In 1955, he married Dorothy Patrick.

Erwin is eligible for the diploma under Public Act 180 of 2001. It says that a high school diploma can be awarded to a veteran if, before graduation from a high school, the military veteran enlisted in or was drafted into the armed forces of the United States during World War II, the Korean Conflict, or the VietNam war.

Mike heard about “Operation Recognition,” (Public Act 181 of 2001) in a newspaper article, and checked with Cedar Springs High School about his father getting an honorary diploma.

According to registrar Susan Andrzejewski, Erwin attended Cedar Springs High School for his freshman year and part of his sophomore year. She said she found an old box in the basement labeled non-graduates of the 1930s. Although he attended in the 1940s, she dug through it and found his transcript. “He was a bit older than our sophomore students today,” she explained, “but back then they sometimes kept students home to help farm.”

So it won’t be just 17 and 18-year-old students in high spirits when they get their diplomas at graduation next week. Erwin Empie and family will be celebrating, too.

“He’s very excited,” said Mike.

Congratulations, Erwin, and thank you for serving our country!

It’s time to celebrate

Hundreds of students stepped out into a brand new world over the last couple of weeks as they graduated high school and now celebrate what lies ahead. Here in our area, students graduated from Cedar Springs High School, New Beginnings High School, Creative Technologies Academy, Algoma Christian School, and Tri County High School.

To see photos of all the top honors students in our area and class photos, click here to download our Graduation Section.

Every year on the eve of Graduation, CSHS Seniors board a bus and are whisked away for a Night of adventure! SHHH!!! It’s a SURPRISE for the Seniors!  As parents, we are gathering to plan, raise funds to help make the trip packed with Great Activities and Memories to last a lifetime!  Join us on the 2nd Wednesday of each month to bring your ideas, contacts, information and help to the event!!

DON’T LET YOUR GRADUATE MISS OUT ON THE FUN!!  Register them now!!  More information and registration forms can be found on our website at www.cssanp.com  or by contacting April Pierson  ph:  616-723-2049  email april@piersonplumbing.com

Class of 2014

GRADUATION DATE

MAY 29, 2014

RED HAWK STADIUM

(weather permitting)

7:00pm

Graduation 2013

Congratulations Class of 2013

Hundreds of students stepped out into a brand new world over the last couple of weeks as they graduated high school and now celebrate what lies ahead. Here in our area, students graduated from Cedar Springs High School, New Beginnings High School, Creative Technologies Academy, Pilgrim Bible Academy, Algoma Christian School, and Tri County High School.

To see photos of all the top honors students in our area and class photos, click link below to download our Graduation 2013 feature.

Graduation2013.pdf 

Fine Arts Night @ CSHS Auditorium

Tuesday, April 23 6:30pm – 8:00

Come check out all the visual art displays, and performances by the choirs, band and drama students

Early Release Day – April 26 & May 10

Board of Education Regular Meeting – May 13

New Beginnings Graduation Ceremony – May 23
@ Red Hawk Elementary 7:00pm