Harrison’s 2024 Alumni Coffee Hour

By ETHAN WALLACE

Cleaver Staff Writer

HARRISON – Harrison High School’s annual Alumni Coffee Hour was held Saturday, May 25 at the high school, and was hosted by Mick Haley. This yearly event helps Harrison graduates meet with one another to let them catch up, and people from different years and places came to this meet and greet. There were some folks who still live in Harrison, some who live in nearby towns, and even graduates from as far away as Oklahoma and Virginia.

As one of the oldest alumni groups in Michigan, it is always a heartening occasion for so many people to come together. After the pledge of allegiance, Haley introduced the 2024 valedictorian, Ethan Wallace, who introduced the Class of 2024 by giving a short speech about his time at Harrison. Soon after, the Alumni Scholarship was awarded to Grace Taylor who is going to attend Northern Michigan University.

There were three Wall of Fame honorees this year. Jackie Chaffee, a 1955 graduate, couldn’t be at the event that night but her accomplishments, such as working in human services and contributions to the community, were recognized. Bill Simpson, a 1971 graduate, was present to accept his award. Simpson gave a short speech about how he was proud to be given this award, glad to see so many friends at this event, and also remarked how older graduates were the “older kids on the bus” and gave him positive role models to look up to. The last Wall of Fame honoree was Carole (Morton) Wade who graduated in 1964. When Wade got onto the stage, she was fairly surprised, yet very humble and thankful. Before she sat down in her seat, and things got a bit emotional with tears of joy and hugs shared between friends and classmates.

Roll call was taken by Cid Jones, showing 71 people attended this year’s gathering. The oldest graduate at this event was Lillian (Hoard) Lipovsky who graduated in 1948.

More graduates of Harrison are always welcome to come to this yearly event held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.