Ashley Fenlon knew this day would eventually arrive.

She walked into the Oconto Falls High School gymnasium May 24 and walked out as a member of the school’s newest graduating class.

“I’m very excited, I wanted this all year,” Fenlon said before more than 120 seniors received their diploma in front of family, friends, community members and school district staff members.

Nervous, but ready to move on.

Those were the thoughts going through Carter Cieslewicz’s mind as he stood in line to enter the Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School gymnasium for the last time as a high school student.

He was one of 83 seniors to graduate May 22 in front of family, friends, community members and Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District staff.

The road to graduation was paved with blurry expectations, according to Gillett Secondary School valedictorian Audrey Woodke, but she and 34 other graduates made it to the milestone event as the community celebrated the 2026 graduation commencement May 24.

• Daniel J. Punke, 43, Athens, pleaded no contest May 18 to misappropriating ID information to obtain money and a misdemeanor charge of theft. Judge Katherine Sloma levied fines, ordered restitution and sentenced him to eight months in county jail.

• James L. Valley, 41, Gillett, was charged May 19 with three counts of felony bail jumping and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. Judge Jay Conley set a $750 cash bond and adjourned his initial appearance until June 3.

Gresham Community School sent 17 graduates out into the world May 22 with diplomas and messages of hope.

Most of the graduates have known each other since kindergarten, according to valedictorian Riley Hohensee, which means there has been no hiding for the class of 2026, because everybody knows each other in the school.