High school graduations explode around Mower County this weekend.

Last Sunday, two area high schools, Hayfield and Southland, held commencement exercises of their own.

Southland graduated 62 seniors last Sunday and Hayfield awarded diplomas to 77 seniors.

This weekend, the excitement continues for young men and women completing their K-12 secondary educations.

The commencement exercises at Grand Meadow are historic for another reasons this spring.

One of the Grand Meadow seniors, whomever is the last to receive a high school diploma, will be the last to graduate from the "old" Grand Meadow High School.

Next year, the class of 2003 will be the first to graduate in the new domed K-12 school facility under construction outside Grand Meadow.

Brian Gehling is valedictorian of the class of 2002 at Grand Meadow and Timothy Fay is salutatorian.

Commencement begins 7 p.m. Friday in the Grand Meadow High School gymnasium, where 30 seniors will receive diplomas.

Lyle High School

commencement begins 8 p.m. Friday in the high school gymnasium.

The 15 seniors receiving diplomas is the smallest graduating class of an area high school.

Co-valedictorians are Kari Frank and Laura Nelson. Amber Peterson is the class salutatorian.

On Sunday, the LeRoy-Ostrander High School class of 2003 will graduate.

Commencement begins 2 p.m. Sunday in the LOHS gymnasium at LeRoy.

The students will remember a classmate, who died ahead of his time, Zane Rollins, including dedicating the senior class song

(Freebird) in his memory.

Aubry Jacobsen is valedictorian and Erin Dohlman is salutatorian.

Twenty-six seniors will receive diplomas Sunday.

Also Sunday, Blooming Prairie High School will hold commencement exercises for 66 seniors, beginning at 2 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.

Kristi Schwake is the BPHS valedictorian and Margaret Romeo is salutatorian.

On Wednesday, June 5, the Pacelli High School class of 2002 graduates with commencement exercises, beginning 7 p.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church.

This Sunday, a baccalaureate service will be held at 1 p.m. at St. Edward's Catholic Church for the PHS class of 2002.

Christina Kluczny is the PHS valedictorian this year. Amy Bickler and Michelle Mino are co-salutatorians.

Twenty-five Shamrock seniors will receive diplomas.

Then, Austin High school holds commencement exercises for 270 seniors Friday, June 7, beginning 7 p.m. in Riverside Arena. The AHS class of 2002 has no less than 20 high distinction academic all-stars in the graduating class this spring.