HIT: As the school year winds down, students in the Cayuga County area are participating in the last formal gathering of their high school years: commencement.
We've seen a lot of smiles and a lot of tears as seniors became graduates, receiving their diplomas surrounded by the families and faculties that have supported them along the way. Auburn High School held its 55th commencement ceremony Friday at Holland Stadium, and graduates in Skaneateles participated in their time-honored tradition of taking a leap into the lake on Sunday.
We applaud all of our local graduates — and the ones who helped them get there — and wish them luck on the next chapter of their lives.
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MISS: After an overlong stretch of chilly, rainy weather this spring, things changed in a big way this week with unrelenting sun and heat. Temperatures soared into the 90s in the Cayuga County area Monday and Tuesday, and higher than normal humidity made it feel like it was 100 degrees or more outside in some places.
People who had the option of staying indoors did just that in many cases, while those with access to lakes or pools were happy to jump right in.
Thankfully, the heat wave was relatively short-lived and by midweek temperatures began to drop into a more seasonable — and more comfortable — range.
HIT: Cayuga County and the surrounding region have a long history of being associated with women of great achievement, and the city of Auburn recently added another name to that list.
On June 19, Mayor Jimmy Giannettino swore in Jenny Haines as Auburn's next city manager, the first woman to hold the position since it was established 100 years ago.
Haines first joined city government in 1993 as a staff member in the planning department. She was later promoted to director of planning and economic development, and most recently served as assistant city manager prior to the retirement of predecessor Jeff Dygert.
"I am excited," Haines said upon taking office, "to continue to serve the community that I love."
Gallery: Auburn High School graduation celebrates class of 2025
David-Jeremiah Baker celebrates with his fellow graduates at the conclusion of Auburn High School's fifty-fifth commencement ceremony at Holland Stadium June 20.
Graduates enter Holland Stadium during Auburn High School's fifty-fifth commencement ceremony at Holland Stadium June 20.
Graduates decorate their caps with messages like 'With the grace of God and the sacrifice of my parents I achieved it,' during the Auburn High School's fifty-fifth commencement ceremony at Holland Stadium June 20.
Matthew Crounse gives the salutatory address during Auburn High School's fifty-fifth commencement ceremony at Holland Stadium June 20.
Mitchell Homick gives the valedictory address during Auburn High School's fifty-fifth commencement ceremony at Holland Stadium June 20.
Mitchell Homick gives the valedictory address during Auburn High School's fifty-fifth commencement ceremony at Holland Stadium June 20.
Graduates use their caps to send messages to loved ones during Auburn High School's fifty-fifth commencement ceremony at Holland Stadium June 20.
Remington Peralta-Strachan receives his diploma during Auburn High School's fifty-fifth commencement ceremony at Holland Stadium June 20.
Zoey Rosekrans receives her diploma during Auburn High School's fifty-fifth commencement ceremony at Holland Stadium June 20.
Seamus Gentile-Ovens poses for a picture after receiving his diploma during the Auburn High School's fifty-fifth commencement ceremony at Holland Stadium June 20.
Bella Dennis shakes hands with Superintendent Dr. Misty Slavic during Auburn High School's fifty-fifth commencement ceremony at Holland Stadium June 20.
From left, graduates Owen Ashton, Gabriel Bachman, Aisha Bailey, David-Jeremiah Baker and Jaydyn Baker move their tassels from right to left to confer their diplomas during Auburn High School's 55th commencement ceremony June 20 at Holland Stadium.
From left, Sydney Yurco, Skyler Bishuk, and Ashlyn Feneck celebrate at the conclusion of the Auburn High School's fifty-fifth commencement ceremony at Holland Stadium June 20.
