27 Learning Option students and three Phases students graduate this year

By Megan Kelley

Review Writer

Lake Orion High School graduated 535 students at the school’s commencement ceremony on June 8 at DTE Energy Music Theater.

“This has been a year to remember for all of us and I am thankful to be standing here this evening, tonight, in-person and not behind a monitor,” said LOCS Superintendent Ben Kirby.

Last year, the district was forced to forgo their usual commencement at DTE and hold the ceremony in the high school parking lot because of existing COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Safe orders.

After a school year full of remote learning, quarantines and the loss of more traditional high school events like homecoming, students and faculty were happy to see some semblance of normalcy in this year’s graduation ceremony.

“Tonight’s celebration is more than a graduation, it’s a celebration of perseverance,” said school board President Jim Wiedman. “No graduating class from Lake Orion High School has ever been challenged as the class of 2021 during their final two years of high school.”

Student speakers of the night included Lady Jordan Matthews-Mason and Amelia Hass, who both gave speeches with similar messages: stay strong and persist.

“Last summer I watched as my classmates took to their platforms on social media and made it clear to our community and the world that Dragons lead by example, with generosity, responsibility, integrity and tenacity. If this year and you, this class, have taught me anything it’s that this generation has the heart to bring forth real change,” Matthews-Mason said. “As we walk into the next phases of our lives continue to be bold, be active and demand the change the world needs. And if you can’t find that change, be it.”

LOHS Principal Steve Hawley was joined by seniors Chloe Halverson and Caden Loken for a lighthearted speech that focused on the fun times the students had this year, complete with the top ten reasons why the 2021 graduating class is the best graduating class.

After several speeches and performances, the LOHS senior graduating class of 2021 walked across the stage to receive their long-awaited high school diplomas that signified their years of hard work.