Area schools set for graduations

 Over the course of 19 hours this weekend, 189 students from four schools and three counties will receive their diplomas during graduation ceremonies. 

Stanton starts off the round of commencements Saturday at 7:30 p.m. With a graduating class of 17, the valedictorian and salutatorian will be presenting keynote addresses. 

Last day for seniors was May 9. 

Red Oak’s graduation ceremony begins at 2 p.m. Sunday with 93 students receiving diplomas. Bill Billings has been chosen as the parent speaker, and the to-be-announced valedictorian and salutatorian will also address the senior class. 

Last day of school is May 14 for the class with a senior trip scheduled for May 15. 

Southwest Valley High School will host its first graduation ceremony at the same time Sunday. Fifty-three students will graduate from the school which now features students from Corning and Villisca. In recognition of this recent merger, valedictorian and salutatorians from each town will give commencement speeches. 

Seniors last day in class is Tuesday. 

Essex’s graduation starts at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the high school. With a class size of 26, Valedictorian Kassandra Decuir and Salutatorian Seana Perkins will speak at the ceremonies, which will also include senior awards and scholarships.