The annual observance of Memorial Day will be held in Akron on May 26 beginning with a parade at 10 a.m., with the memorial program in the park following the parade. The activities will begin with a Flag Raising at the American Legion Hall 4th and Reed St. followed by a short parade down Reed St. to Second St. and then North to Mill St. and up to Fifth St. and then into the park to the Veterans Memorial for the Memorial Day Program. The Parade and Flag Raising is different from previous years so note the changes. The speaker this year is Miss Lindsay Dolan from Beresford, South Dakota. Lindsay has been a Junior American Legion Auxiliary Member since birth. She was able to join under the eligibility of her grandfather, Bill Dolan, who was the South Dakota State Legion Commander in 1997-1998. Lindsay has held all Unit Junior Offices at the local level and at the district level, has been President, Vice President, Secretary, and Sgt at Arms. On the State Level she has been South Dakota’s President, Vice President, Secretary, and was a State Page for the South Dakota Convention in 2005. For a local connection, Lindsay is the Grandaughter of Bill and Joann (Hillrich) Dolan and the great niece of Gary and Charlotte Hillrichs of Akron Citizens of the community are invited to turn out as a demonstration of honor and respect to honor all of the military personnel who gave their lives in the service of our country and also to honor all of the deceased veterans of the area who served their country during wartime and peace time so that all people of our great nation could live in freedom. There will be bleachers in the park for you to sit on, but please feel free to bring your favorite lawn chair if you so wish. There is plenty of room for lawn chairs. There is plenty of parking in the swimming pool parking lot. We ask that you do not park in among the Avenue of Flags. The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary will be serving lunch in the American Legion Hall following the program. Out of town visitors are especially welcome to visit and renew acquaintances with community citizens. Volunteers from the community are invited to help place flags at 6 a.m. on Monday and also with the retiring of the flags at 4 p.m.

by Ben Banks

Akron-Westfield community school sent seven athletes to the state track meet in Des Moines this year. A-W had no first place finishes this year but did considerably well in the meet. Shelby Johnson an A-W Senior, now graduate, took second place in the discus with a throw of 118’4’’. The first place finisher won with a throw of 125’10’’. Shelby finished her high school track career at the state track meet. She also set a new school record with her throw. Karly Groon a A-W sophomore took third place at state in the high jump with a jump of 5’3’’. The winner of the high jump won with a jump of 5’5’’. Kyle Groon, A-W senior now graduate, competed in two events at the state track meet. Kyle took sixth place in the high jump with a jump of 6’4’’. The winner of the high jump won with a jump of 6’8’’. Kyle also took ninth place in the long jump with a jump of 20’5’’ at the state meet. The first place jump was 22’5.5”. Christopher Carlson, A-W sophomore, took thirteenth place in the 400 low hurdles with a time of 58.57 seconds. The winner of the event won with a time of 54.20 seconds. Jordan Harris, A-  sophomore, competed in the 100 meter Hurdles where she took 21st place with a time of 16.73 seconds. The winner of the event won with a time of 14.37 seconds. Lauren Blinde, A-W sophomore, took 22nd in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1:12.53. The winner of the event won with a time of 1:03.29. The final A-W individuals to compete at the state meet was the girls 4x100 shuttle hurdle relay team. consisting of Karly Groon, Kristin Martin, Lauren Blinde, and Jordan Harris. The girls ran their event with a time of 1:10.3. They took third in their preliminary but did not make it to the finals. The track teams have had a very successful year with many triumphs and many losses. But whatever happened they always showed class and Westerner pride. Good luck next year.

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