Moods from solemn to celebratory reign this week at St. John’s Military School, while crowds assemble and pay lasting respects to the pillar of north Salina.
Tissues have dabbed tears of both sadness and joy as reunions continue from now through this weekend.
Final commencement at the 131-year-old institution is 10:30 a.m. Saturday on the parade grounds in front of Jack Vanier Hall.
Officials have been planning for months to give the hallowed institution a proper sendoff in the wake of prolonged sad news.
It has landed a blow to many in Salina, other parts of Kansas, neighboring states, and places dotting the nation and world. The SJMS Board of Trustees announced Feb. 6 that the private school would be closing after graduation Saturday, citing legal issues and negative publicity they believed contributed to low enrollment and money troubles that drained the school’s endowment.
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)