Lahser 2013 Graduates Embrace Final Class Status

Roughly 200 Lahser High School students had their sights on their futures during commencement ceremonies Sunday at Oakland University. But members of the class of 2013 also took time to honor their legacy as the last graduates in the school's 45-year history.

Lahser and cross-district rival Andover High School will merge into Bloomfield Hills High School starting next fall as part of a consolidation and construction plan backed by voters May 2012. When construction on the new facility is complete, projected in 2015, a piece of the class of 2013 will be there too. 

During Sunday's ceremony, the Lahser student council announced a $1,000 annual scholarship for future student leaders as the senior class gift. A plaque honoring each of the winners will hang on the Lahser walls while it hosts students during the transition period, and will move to the new building on the current Andover site when it's complete. 

"We will be honoring future (Bloomfield Hills High School) Black Hawks while remembering what made being a Lahser Knight so special," said graduate and Senior Class President Andrew Gikas.

The series of speakers touched on the finality of the past year as well. References to the last homecoming, final prom, and rivalry games against Andover were spliced throughout their remarks, but not in any negative connotation.

Most students said they came to terms with the district's decision long ago and enjoyed the experience of being part of Lahser High School'a final chapter.

"It’s pretty cool because next year it will be a whole new scene,” said graduate Deven Kishore moments before the ceremony. “Everything we’ve done this year, from the last Andover rivalry game to prom, to this day, it’s all been ‘the last,’ and to be part of it’s very special. Ten years from now I’ll look back and know that I was part of it.”