STAFF
PUBLISHER Jake Mienk jmienk @ itemonline . com
EDITOR Joseph Brown jbrown @ itemonline . com
LIFESTYLES EDITOR Michelle Wulfson mwulfson @ itemonline . com
SPORTS EDITOR Joseph Brown jbrown @ itemonline . com
ADVERTISING Tammy Farkas tfarkas @ itemonline . com
Ashley Willoughby awilloughby @ itemonline . com
Brenda Poe bpoe @ itemonline . com
CIRCULATION Billie Chapman bchapman @ itemonline . com
OFFICE MANAGER Traci Gallin traci @ itemonline . com
After a tumultuous and seemingly endless school year that presented challenge after challenge for students and faculty alike , there is a step toward normalcy for seniors graduating from Walker County ’ s three high schools .
The senior year of high school is tough enough , but COVID-19 made it even tougher for the Class of 2021 . Distance learning . Closed school buildings . Canceled sports events . Not much in the way of interaction with classmates . Nothing normal about any of that . The class is to be applauded for succeeding in incredibly trying circumstances .
The two public schools and single private school are graduating approximately 420 high school seniors .
Huntsville High School ’ s graduation ceremony
FROM THE EDITOR A tip of the cap to the
Class of 2021
Joseph Brown
JOSEPH BROWN , EDITOR jbrown @ itemonline . com | 936-295-5407
is scheduled June 5 at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands . New Waverly and Alpha Omega Academy will both hold commencement exercises on May 22 , with the Bulldogs set to graduate at Johnson Coliseum on the Sam Houston State University campus , while the Lions will receive diplomas at University Heights Baptist Church in Huntsville .
Masks will be required at most , along with social distancing , and the ceremonies may look different .
Hopefully , with vaccinations now easily and readily available , this month ’ s in-person graduations may just be the next step in a return to normalcy for the Class of 2021 . After this past year , the class has earned it .
Our congratulations and best wishes .
Proud to enable all young people , especially those who need us most , to reach their full potential as productive , caring , responsible citizens ... future graduates !
99 Martin Luther King Jr . Blvd | Huntsville ( 936 ) 291-6054 | WalkercCountyKids . org
COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE | CLASS OF 2021 | 5