Town celebrates Mercer School graduation

MERCER, Wis. - The sun came out to shine on 14 Mercer High School graduates who were standing in their caps and gowns on Sunday as the town drove by in tribute to a class that cannot hold a graduation ceremony.

The students became the spectators of a parade in their honor of Iron County Sheriff's Office and Mercer Fire Department vehicles, a school bus, a tracked John Deere tractor, all-terrain vehicles and many cars and trucks belonging to family, friends and townspeople who decorated them with balloons and signs.

"It's kind of a reverse parade," said Curtis LaBarge, who drove along Margaret Street in tribute to his niece who was among the graduates. "This is great for the kids who otherwise would have had nothing."

The graduates were spaced 6 feet apart. They waved to the parade while holding flowers and standing in front of signs displaying their names, photos and a side silhouette.

The graduates included Haley Allen-Rodriquez, Zoe Botes, Tyler Erno, Kobe Hiller, Jessica Holton, Baylie Huybrecht, Jessica Klopatek, Joseph Laudolff, Zachary Martin, Davin Peterson, Aubrey Schoeneman, Ella Torkelson, Mya Towne and Carson West.

Ella Torkelson, the class valedictorian, said the school succeeded in doing a lot with the little they had to work with in terms of restrictions on gatherings. The event was well organized, she said.

"I think this is about as good as it gets given the situation and the school did a good job doing something special for us," Torkelson said.

The school also did a good job with the sudden switch to online virtual learning this semester, she said. This fall she will start her biology degree in the pre-med program at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Zoe Botes, the school salutatorian, said it's been a difficult semester in not being able to experience the milestone events that seniors look forward to since they are freshmen. It was difficult not seeing her classmates and school staff in the last semester before leaving to study illustration at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design this fall.

"But I am really happy that the school pulled this together and am really grateful that we were able to have this drive-by and do something before we go off to college," Botes said.

Mike Huybrecht decorated his truck to celebrate the graduation of his son, Baylie Huybrecht. He was among four cars of family to include a brother, grandparents, an aunt, and his other son Zach, who will be a sophomore next year.

"I think it's a great thing they're doing here for Mercer and the students," Huybrecht said.

Kim and Edith Huybrecht, Baylie's grandparents, said they took a break from their camping trip to attend the tribute event.

"I'm glad they're having it," Edith Huybrecht said. "He's our grandson."

Denise Wildcat said she felt bad that her grandson Davin Peterson has missed out on so much including the traditional graduation. She said the drive-thru event doesn't replace it but that it's a great opportunity to do something special and there is always the graduation from post-secondary school to do more.

"I think it's awesome," Wildcat said.

The tribute event would be followed by a dinner and party in a long day of celebration, she said.

The state coronavirus restrictions prohibit education-related activities inside the school building and outdoor ceremonies carry a liability, said Sheri Kopka, interim district administrator. She handed out diplomas to the students following the event and the rest of the school will continue through Friday.

"I think this was awesome," Kopka said. "It was a huge showing of support for the class of 2020."

Julie Hoffmeister, administrative assistant, said the staff considered several tribute event scenarios. This drive-thru plan was the option that emerged as various restrictions created problems with other ideas.

"I'm very happy that the graduates are getting the recognition they deserve," Hoffmeister said. "It's the way we can do it safely through the school."

To be able to do something like this was wonderful after real concerns that the school would not be allowed to do anything, said Brent Wambold, high school math teacher. He said the shutdown was overdone.

Teaching math online was different but in the end he felt the students successfully completed more than 90% of the curriculum. The students who suffered are those who need the interaction of face-to-face learning, he said.

"They struggled a little but everyone was back on track by the end of the semester," Wambold said.

Mercer was among the best schools in terms of success with virtual learning in part for its small size and for the generosity of the community. If a student needed a laptop or an internet hotspot it was made to happen through the kindness of an alumnus, business or another parent, he said.

"I think we did a really good job," Wambold said. "Every kid got something and they were all able to do it online."

The concern now is whether the fall semester will start with in-school classes or continue with virtual learning, he said. There is a real concern with the possibility of another wave of COVID-19 in the winter but nobody prefers to continue with virtual learning, he said.

"I think the kids have had it. I think the parents have had it," Wambold said. "I think our parents have gone above and beyond with having to be home with their kids and it's too much. We need to get healthy again."