Dickinson County School Celebrates Its Honored Graduate Class

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In Michigan's Norway Township, along Main Street, you can see banners featuring graduates of Norway High School hanging from the lampposts.

The new program started last week, and almost 30 banners are still being put up.

The mayor of Norway, Candy Brew, expresses her hope to establish the banners as an annual custom.

We're hopeful that this will continue for many years to come, and I believe the parents appreciate it," Brew stated. "I think it's a great way to showcase our graduates and demonstrate our pride.

The Norway’s Downtown Development Authority proposed the plan, and DDA Event Coordinator Gina Zanon worked alongside the school and City Hall for its execution.

Zanon states that the banners will help bridge the gap between the town and the school.

“As a schoolteacher, my aim was to bridge the gap between the school and the local community,” Zanon stated. “I believed that when we collaborate, students who have strong ties to their community tend to return there after they grow up.”

The banners were created right in the heart of downtown Norway by Norway Mercantile, which specializes in sports memorabilia and printing services.

Steve Jensen, who co-owns Norway Mercantile, mentions that the banners have made him feel more connected to the nearby school.

We rarely attend sports games, but we do tune into the radio and catch the kids' names," Jensen explained. "It kind of makes me wonder, 'What do these people actually look like?' Now, with this information, you get a clear picture of their appearance and can piece things together more easily.

Seniors have the option to send in their photographs to the business in order to receive a banner.

Once the banners are removed, they will be handed over to the students' families, which Jensen is anticipating.

"Once the great-grandchildren arrive, they will be next in line," Jensen stated.

The graduation day is set for May 23rd.