The Harlan Community School District’s Board of Education approved 128 seniors as the graduating class of 2013-2014. In a board meeting Thursday, the board approved the final list presented by Superintendent Justin Wagner and High School Principal John Connell. The senior class will graduate at commencement ceremonies on Sunday afternoon.

In addition, the board heard from four seniors in regards to their Legacy Project. Every year, the senior class at Harlan Community has tried to leave a lasting impression on the school. This year a group of ten individuals from Mr. Swanson’s business class decided to undertake a legacy project. The class decided to create a portrait made up of all the communities representing the Harlan Community School District.

Legacy Project

The four seniors at the school board meeting were Taylor Leinen, Nate Gettys, Rhiana Chickering and Savanna Scheffler. The students hope the Legacy Project becomes an annual project by the graduating class. The class designed six different portraits that are hung up in various areas in the school district with three in the high school and one in each of the outlining school building.

The eight communities in the school district Corley, Defiance, Earling, Harlan, Jacksonville, Panama, Portsmouth and Westphalia are represented by different pictures in each portrait. The other students participating in the Legacy Project were Elizabeth Blum, Shelby Gettys, Broghan Kelly, Morgan Meyer, Sidney Mills and Jordan Schaben. Superintendent Justin Wagner said the students worked hard to make each design unique.

“That was the other thing that took a lot of time. That was good, attention to detail and taking the extra time to put in different pictures for each one. So if you have seen one, you haven’t seen them all. Great project and appreciate all the time you put into it and Mister Swanson as well.”

In other business, the board approved the 1 to 1 computer purchase of 170 laptops for the upcoming freshman class in the fall of 2014. Lisa Swanson said the purchase was under budget by $24,000 through Riverside Technologies. The purchase price for the new laptops was $157,096.40.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

An Anita man was arrested Thursday on a Cass County Sheriff’s warrant for Violation of a No Contact order. According to the Atlantic Police Dept., 29-year old Ehren Mardesen turned himself-in, and was booked into the Cass County Jail.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is reminding the motoring public, during May 19th – June 1st, Iowa law enforcement agencies will be participating in the National “Click or Ticket” campaign. In an attempt to save lives and reduce serious injury crashes, local, county and state enforcement officers will be out in force making sure everyone is buckled up.

Sergeant Scott Bright, Public Information Officer for the Iowa Department of Public Safety, advises that “The two seconds it takes to buckle up increases your odds by nearly 50% of surviving a crash. There is nothing so simple or easy that can make such a life saving difference. During 2013, there were 317 fatalities in Iowa, a record low but still too many needless deaths. We are continually looking for ways to make a difference,” says Noble.

Last year, during the Memorial Day holiday, Iowa had 3 traffic fatalities, two of which were alcohol related. During the sTEP enforcement wave, there were 31,480 total traffic violations, including 12,450 speed, 2630 seat belt and 530 OWI stops.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau continues to stress to the motoring public the importance of buckling up, slowing down and the need to drive sober to increase the odds of preventing or at least surviving a crash. Buckle up, be safe and enjoy your Memorial Day holiday.

The next sTEP enforcement event will be July 1st – 7th.