Farewell Class of ‘24, hard work pays off

One of the biggest perks about writing for a community newspaper is the opportunity given to meet local students cutting out paper dolls in kindergarten, then follow their growth through graduation and beyond.

However, the number of students we’ve followed have been fewer and fewer over the years.

One-hundred, thirty-five members of the Class of 2024 have impressed with their academic, athletic and extra curricular achievements. But this is less than half the 252 who donned caps and gowns in 2008. That year, the 142 graduates who walked were considered the lowest number of seniors in recent history. Then, Suttons Bay had the largest senior class at 74; Glen Lake, 73 and Leland, 43; St. Mary, 22; and Northport, 12.