Graduation ceremonies set for this week

Published 9:29 am Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Graduation season is in full swing in southwest Michigan.

Niles High School will see its seniors turn their tassels first with its commencement ceremony Thursday evening, while Brandywine and Buchanan high schools will follow with their ceremonies Sunday afternoon.

Niles’ commencement is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the high school’s football field, but could be moved indoors depending on the weather.

School officials say 193 seniors are expected to receive their diplomas during Niles’ graduation ceremony, which will include speeches by school board president Greg O’Toole and three of the school’s six valedictorians Nicholas Suckle, Robert Lundberg and Andrew Merica.

Niles seniors are required to attend a graduation practice at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

Buchanan’s commencement ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Memorial Field, but will be moved in doors in case of inclement weather.

There are 106 students set to graduate from Buchanan this year.

A senior brunch will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday with a mandatory commencement practice following at 10:15 a.m.

Buchanan’s Honors Convocation will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday. At that time, students will receive scholarships and awards, and the valedictorian(s) will be announced.

Ninety-three seniors are expected to graduate during Brandywine High School’s commencement at 2 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.

Guest speakers include WNDU’s Kate Chappell and the Class of 2015 valedictorians Krystal Bunch, Abigail Cole and Alec DeJonge. The salutatorian, Zachary Schmidt, is also scheduled to speak.

Brandywine will hold its mandatory graduation rehearsal at 4:30 p.m. Friday.