Graduation

NORTHVILLIANS,

On Memorial Day, I spent time with our military veterans, saw throngs of Northvillians along the parade route and paid special tribute to our fallen soldiers and all our veterans at the Rural Hill Memorial Day ceremony where Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Matt Koleszar and others joined us.

Also over the weekend, I witnessed LOTS of people downtown for the 38^th Annual Northville Flower Sale. I’m always amazed at the stunning variety of flowers and plants, perfect for invigorating your garden areas and outdoor spaces. For everyone who attended, thank you for supporting the show!  And the celebration of colorful blooms doesn’t have to end there – the Thursday Farmers’ Market will provide an ongoing array of beautiful plants to help get your home summer-ready. It’s on Seven Mile, directly across from Custard Time (A great place to stop for a cone after you visit the Farmers’ Market).  

Now it’s time to turn our attention to our Northville Grads, as we honor the Class of 2025 and look back at Northville graduation history. 

This past weekend in Downtown Northville was abuzz with prom preparations and pictures at the Mill Race Village, where NHS students along with others visited there with family. “Best Wishes Grads” is featured on the Marquis at the theater as well as at other locations around town this week. Besides the Graduating Senior Vehicle Parade, this coming weekend will feature many graduation ceremonies and the all-night senior party … a lot going on! In this letter, I will look back on historic graduation activities through the years.

Our Community’s Graduation activities through time:

Historic Northville Graduation Activities:

• 1869 – First & only graduate of Northville High School that year, Alice Beal (Bealtown).
• 1889 – Commencement Exercises were in the Opera House on Dunlap & Center (800 seat capacity) … everyone in town showed up!
• 1909 – Ten graduates (commencement at the Methodist Church, Dunlap & Center). 
• 1916 – Commencement was held at the Presbyterian Church. 
• 1924 – 1st Class to take a train trip to Washington DC, boarding in Northville ($80 included transportation & hotel). This started a DC class trip tradition spanning 40 years.
• 1931 – 38 graduates, had commencement at Wayne County’s Training School Auditorium on Sheldon between 5 Mile & 6 Mile Rd.
• 1939 – 80 graduates. “Mustangs” was chosen in a contest as the Mascot for NHS. A natural choice because of Northville’s history and heritage for horse shows and horse racing. With the Mustang theme in mind, during WWII, Northville raised enough money for a P51 Mustang Aircraft with a “Northville Mustang” painted on it. Today, there is a Mustang horse carved into our historic Elm Tree on Cady & Wing. (Check it out.)
• 1943 – 61 graduates (commencement at Northville Downs County Fairgrounds). 
• 1958 – 97 graduates (commencement at Community Center/Senior Center on Main Street where Bob Seger played in the 1960’s). 
• 1969 – 100^th graduating class, 183 students. Before this time, Novi & Northville were combined for high school. In ‘69, Novi had its first graduating class of 84 students. 
• 1977 – 384 graduates (commencement at the football stadium). 
• 2015 – 555 graduates (commencement at Compuware Arena). 
• 2025 – Over 700 graduates, Northville ranks as the 4^th largest High School in Michigan. 

City of Northville Mayors who are NHS Grads: Chris Johnson & Brian Turnbull

Famous Citizens (among others):  

• Steve Juday: All American Quarterback at MSU and National Leader
• Jake Moody: All-American U of M placekicker, drafted by the San Francisco 49’ers.

We are all standing on the shoulders of those who have come before us, and today we are handing the torch over to the graduates who will lead us into the future! As Mayor, speaking for all Northvillians, know that the community is extremely proud of this Class of 2025.

I give this graduating class a great deal of kudos for their perseverance, dedication and hard work spent in the pursuit of excellence in Academics, Sports, Music and community activities. You, the Grads, represent not only yourselves but your families, your school and the entire Northville Community. The keys to the future are now in your hands, and soon you will make your mark on this world.

Go Mustangs! … Go Graduates! … Continue to make us proud …CONGRATS!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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