Lake Shore to celebrate 100th graduating class

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Lake Shore High School is celebrating its 100th graduating class, starting with their graduation on June 3, along with festivities and special guests.

According to a Facebook post made by the school district, students in the community who wanted to attend high school had to travel to Mount Clemens, Detroit or somewhere farther.

“The need for that ended at the school board meeting on July 14, 1919, when approval was given for the start of secondary education in this district,” the post from Lake Shore Public Schools said. “That September, ‘junior high’ began being offered in the Lake Shore school house.”

From 1920 to 1923, they added the upper grades, ninth through 12th, and in 1924, the first graduating class had three students: T. Jay Barton, Nelda Egle and Clifford Frazo. The graduation ceremony was held on June 26, 1924.

Janelle Bross, principal of Lake Shore High School, listed in an email a number of special things they are adding to the upcoming graduation. This includes graduates all wearing the same robes — red with a white arm stripe — and allowing students to invite their “Lake Shore VIP.”

“This VIP is a staff member that had the biggest positive impact on their education experience,” Bross said in the email. “The VIPs will be seated on the field in a reserved area so they can hug, high five, fist bump or politely wave at their beloved students.”

At the recent St. Clair Shores City Council meeting on May 15, Bross was there with a representative from AMS displays to approve a fireworks display for the graduation ceremony. It will be held at the high school in the football stadium. Council approved the fireworks display 6-0. Councilman Chris Vitale was excused.

Bross also said they’ve been sending out invitations for two years for the keynote speaker and dreaming about what this event could be. They were able to get a member of congress to speak to the 2023 graduating class.

“We’re very excited to announce that our U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow will be our keynote speaker for this event,” Bross said.

Bross said in the email and at the meeting that 50-year alumni and businessperson Michael Agnello will speak at the ceremony, as well as a current fifth grader who will speak about the future of Lake Shore.

“Some new traditions, old traditions, we’re very excited to show off some new things that we have this year,” Bross said.

Superintendent Joseph DiPonio said it’s a unique period in time to be celebrating the 100th graduating class.

“It’s just humbling to be in this role at this particular time,” DiPonio said. “We have a storied history at Lake Shore, and we represent a lot of people that came before us.”

He said this celebration isn’t just for the class of 2023; it’s a celebration of all graduates from Lake Shore High School.

“This moment belongs to all of Lake Shore,” DiPonio said.