St. James Lutheran School seventh graders Ian Raddant and Preston Braun captured the attention of hundreds of local residents who gathered at Woodlawn Cemetery for Shawano’s annual Memorial Day ceremony May 25.

The students spoke of the history and the importance of the day, a solemn occasion that is more than the unofficial start of summer.

Patrick VanDenEng loves to take his Chevrolet Camaro for a joy ride.

He didn’t have to drive it very far May 24, as the Oconto Falls resident brought it to the city’s annual car show in Memorial Park, held in conjunction with the community’s Memorial Day celebration.

The show featured more than 100 exhibited vehicles, including VanDenEng’s black 2000 Camaro Z28 convertible, which he said he’s owned for about 15 years.

The collective and individual successes, failures and challenges of the Bonduel High School class of 2026 were noted by several speakers at the May 22 graduation ceremony.

Salutatorian Hailey Spates was the first to mention them.

“No two journeys to this stage were alike,” she said.

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.