A LAST HURRAH–was seen at L’Anse Area School last week during graduation on Thursday, May 30, as the 31 graduates tossed their caps in the air and received hugs and congratulations amongst falling balloons for having completed this milestone and start a new chapter in their lives.

by Melissa Newland

Though this year’s L’Anse High School (LHS) graduating class was small at 31 students, the celebration was huge and there was much joy and congratulations in the air as the class of 2024 gathered in the gymnasium for the last time to receive their diplomas last week. The evening was warm and beautiful on Thursday, May 30 as the L’Anse Area School (LAS) gym bleachers filled up with guests and the class of 2024 lined up by the gym doors waiting for the ceremony to begin at 7 p.m. LHS band members and Director Aaron Poniatowski started the program with James D. Ployhar’s “Fanfare & Processional,” announcing the
senior’s entrance. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by John Raffel
The Baraga State Park hosted and participated in a Baraga County disaster drill for 2 1/2 hours from, 5 to 7:30 p.m. on May 22. Ahead of time, park officials alerted guests that they could expect to see EMS, law enforcement and fire vehicles and staff in the park along with mock victims of a school bus accident. Park officials were set to practice its emergency
response and guests may have been contacted but were not to be alarmed as its only a drill to practice county-wide coordinated emergency response and planning. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Porter Davis
With a rainy start to the morning, the Denise Marth Fun Run had a dreary outlook this year, and organizers were worried no one would show up. Of course, though, there are members of the community that make a show no matter the weather conditions, because some  things are more important than a bit of discomfort. What is exercise after all if not a bit
of discomfort for the sake of body and wellness. The Denise Marth Memorial Fun Run was
held on Saturday, May 11, at the L’Anse Waterfront Park from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Denise Marth would no doubt be proud of everyone who attended this year if she were still here. In her memory, runners, cyclists, roller skaters, and all manner of exercise enthusiasts
owned the day and conquered the weather for Denise and for themselves. Making the trek along the bay shore, participants were rewarded with snacks, drinks, water bottles and prizes. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Porter Davis
As another semester comes to a close, the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) celebrates the graduating class of 2024. The entire community showed their
pride and joy for the successes and graduates this year, as they on reflect what can be accomplished when one puts their mind to something. This year’s graduates and teachers
have been hard at work earning their degrees and certificates together. Although a  ceremony in the rain may have been unique, it probably wouldn’t have been the most comfortable for most of the graduates in their finest clothes and makeup. Originally planned for the powwow grounds, the graduation ceremony was moved into the Niiwin
Akeaa Center where it was dry and easily accessible for the supporting friends and families. At least with the indoor venue, the acoustics were good for the local Woodland Singers
drum group. The Honors and Commencement Ceremony took place on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 5 p.m. The ceremony began with two songs from the Woodland Singers, as the colors were posted by the KBiC Honor Guard. Following the Honor Guard, graduates and staff were led into the gymnasium and took their seats before an introduction from Kathleen Smith, and an invocation by Donald Chosa. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Ten Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD) Career & Technical Education (CTE) HOSA students from L’Anse Area Schools (LAS) Health Careers and Keweenaw
Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) Certified Nurse Assistant (CAN)programs traveled to Traverse City last week to compete in the Michigan HOSA State Leadership Conference.
The event took place at the Grand Traverse Resort on April 18 and 19, 2024, where two HOSA Bowl teams competed. One team consisted of Brooklyn Dompier, Madison Peterson, Tessa Lanczy, and Madysen Skytta, and on the other team were Haley Dosmann, Cassie
Kujansuu, Trysten Muma, and Kolyn Sweeney. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland

Mental health issues and suicide too often go hand in hand and one L’Anse mother is taking action to bring the issue to the forefront after the loss of her daughter. Shelley and Lyndon Ekdahl along with their family felt the devastating effects of this problem when their eldest daughter Shantell recently “saved herself by suicide” March 23, 2024, after battling mental health issues for many years. “Committed suicide—that is a phrase that should never be used. There are other ways to say it,” commented Shelley. “This is the beginning of how we should speak of suicide and what she was going through. Shantell made several attempts to save herself by admitting herself into a psychiatric ward in Green Bay twice, seeing a therapist and doctor for her mental health and being prescribed medications for treatment, eating healthy and exercising to maintain a healthy baseline; all of which were not effective and ultimately led her to make this decision.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland
Beautifully worked regalia full of color, beadwork, and bells could be seen at L’Anse Area School (LAS) last week as students learned about Native American culture. Thanks to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) and its KBIC Promise Neighborhoods Program, LAS students were able to participate in a powwow and learn about Indigenous ways.
The event took place at LAS’s gymnasium Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. where all students were invited to wear regalia. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland
After serving the L’Anse Area School (LAS) for the past 30 years, Superintendent Susan Tollefson has decided it is time to turn over the reigns to someone new and enjoy retirement. At the last LAS board meeting held Monday, March 18, 2024, Tollefson submitted her official notification that she will be retiring effective Oct. 1, 2024. Tollefson’s career at LAS includes 21 years of teaching and 9 years as superintendent and she noted she enjoyed them all. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland
The small amount of snowfall/precipitation so far this winter has made for dry conditions here in the UP and local fire departments along with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) urges all to adhere to the burn permit restrictions that are in effect in the area. Last week, the L’Anse Fire Department (LFD) noted it was called to a small brush fire alongside US-41. The crew headed out the morning of March 15, 2024, to assess the situation. “It took us a bit to find it as it had gone out before we got there. But it was 10:30 on a somewhat frosty morning,” stated the LFD Facebook page noting, “The fire looked to be automotive related (possibly a bearing failure) that ignited several ‘spot’ fires over a distance of 100 feet or more. We counted ten-plus small fires that ignited. We were
very fortunate that it was a cold morning, or this had the potential to be disastrous. Please, please, please be fire smart out there this weekend”. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland
New playground equipment will soon be installed at the Baraga State Park through a community playground build program. The Baraga State Park announced at the end of
February that the project was able to be accomplished through a partnership with the Michigan Army National Guard for the community playground  build program and will take
place June 2nd through the 7th at Baraga State Park. Baraga State Park authorities noted that the National Guard will lend their expertise to construct and install the brand-new
playground system in the campground. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.