MAYVILLE (WTAQ-WLUK) — While Mayville is still sorting through the damage from Thursday night’s tornado, it didn’t stop Mayville High School Seniors, their parents, and educators from celebrating graduation Sunday.
It’s a time that the Mayville High School Class of 2025 will never forget.
“It’s crazy,” said Mayville High School graduate, Natalie Jensen. “I totally thought that like graduation would be pushed back or something, but, I mean here we are.”
“Last day of senior year, tornado hits the house. You know, we’re all cleaning up and you know, just two days , three days later here we are graduating. So, I’m happy to be here,” said graduate Ryan Clark. “Happy to get ‘er done and it’s just an utter, utter real feeling being here today.”
The ceremony went on despite cleanup efforts after Thursday’s EF-2 tornado, with winds of 120 miles per hour, damaged businesses and homes.
Graduate Ryan Clark was at home when the tornado ripped through his family’s property.
“We’ve lived at that house for 15 years now and just seeing our whole barn just thrown across the yard and the roof of our shed gone, it was really scary,” said Clark. “It was, just, hit like nothing. it just came through and just couldn’t believe it happened.”
Immediately following the twister, students didn’t hesitate to pitch in and help anyone they could.
“We went to my buddies farm and we cleaned up, there was about 40 kids from our high school just helping and it was just great to see the community come together,” said graduate, Francesca Ersbo.
Their acts of kindness received praise from school leaders during their graduation ceremony.
“It takes a village to raise a child. We all want you to succeed in life and make us proud, but you have already made us proud,” said Randy Clark, Mayville School District Board of Education President.
Crossing the stage to begin their collegiate and professional aspirations — the damaging tornado is seen as a powerful reminder to find the strength and be able to persevere when faced with adversity.
“Stuff happens, you can’t take anything for granted and you know, one day you’ll be knocked down pretty bad and if you persevere and, you know, get back up on your feet it’ll look better in the days to come,” said Ryan Clark.
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