About 565 students will don caps and gowns throughout the county in the upcoming days.

High school commencement ceremonies begin Saturday when LeRoy-Ostrander graduates 30 seniors, and continue through Sunday, June, 6, when Southland hands diplomas to 71.

Before Austin High School students flip their tassels next week, they will listen to the AHS concert choir perform, Morten Lauridsen’s “Sure on This Shining Night.”

The message, choir teacher Brian Johnson has said, is a fine one for all graduates.

“It’s about having a sense of wonder and excitement about the world and discovery.”

Austin High School

A commencement ceremony will take place Friday, June 4, at 7 p.m. in Riverside Arena, 501 Second Ave. NE. Doors open to the public at 6:30 p.m.

As of Thursday, 301 students were qualified to graduate and 26 students planned to graduate with high distinction, having earned a GPA of 3.9 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

The list of students of high distinction is not finalized until the spring 2010 grades are reported.

AHS does not name valedictorians and salutatorians.

Blooming Prairie High School

A baccalaureate ceremony took place Wednesday evening at St. Columbanus Church. Commencement is Sunday, May 30, at 2 p.m. in the high school gym, 202 Fourth Ave. NW, Blooming Prairie, where 55 students will graduate.

Amanda Wanous is valedictorian; Timothy Boecker is salutatorian.

Grand Meadow High School

A commencement ceremony will be held Friday, June 4, at 7 p.m. in the high school gym, 710 Fourth Ave. NE, Grand Meadow; 24 students will receive their diplomas.

The names of the valedictorian and salutatorian were not released as of press time.

Hayfield High School

A baccalaureate service was held Wednesday in the west gymnasium. Commencement is Sunday, May 30, at 2 p.m. in the high school auditorium, 9 Sixth Ave. SE, Hayfield; 56 students will graduate.

Valedictorians are Carly Crowley, Brittney Garness and Morgan Jacobson. Nathan Conroy is salutatorian.

LeRoy-Ostrander High School

A commencement ceremony will take place Saturday, May 29, at 2 p.m. in the high school gym, 406 Main St., LeRoy; 30 students will graduate.

Rachel Rosedahl is valedictorian; Jeffrey Nelson is salutatorian.

Lyle High School

A graduation baccalaureate will be held Wednesday, June 2, at 7 p.m. at Six Mile Grove Lutheran Church, west of Lyle on County Road 6. Refreshments will be provided following the service.

A commencement ceremony will follow on Friday, June 4, at 8 p.m. in the high school gym, 700 Second St., Lyle; seven students will graduate.

Ashley Blum and Kalyn Jacobsen are valedictorians. Alexis Balgeman is salutatorian.

Pacelli High School

A commencement ceremony will be held Wednesday, June 2, at 7 p.m. in St. Edward’s Church, 2000 W. Oakland Ave; 21 students will graduate.

Stephanie Kasel is valedictorian; Halla Nelson, Michael Bergstrom, Michael Lonergan and Brady Stier are salutatorians.

Southland High School

A commencement ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 6, in the high school gym, 203 Second St. NW, Adams; 71 students will graduate.

Southland does not name valedictorians and salutatorians. Maria Noterman will give an honor’s address; Christina Schmidt will give a senior’s address.