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To all of the Albert Lea Area Schools graduates.

Congratulations to the Albert Lea High School and Area Learning Center graduates, who reached a major goal this week.

After 13 years in school, they obtained the criteria needed for them to receive their high school diplomas.

Though all of their time spent was not easy, we hope they see it was worth it.

Whether they will go on to college, enter the workforce or something else all together, we wish them well in their future endeavors, and remind them that learning is never over.

Take advantage of opportunities that will help you continue to learn and grow, and encourage others to do the same.

To the student athletes from Albert Lea who signed to play sports at the college level.

Five Albert Lea High School athletes signed Monday to play sports at the collegiate level.

Shelby Evans, Aryah Hansen and Jayda Moyer signed to play hockey at St. Scholastica, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and University of Wisconsin Superior, respectively.

Archie Nelson signed to play golf at Des Moines Area Community College, and New New signed to play volleyball at Augsburg University.

We congratulate them on their success thus far and wish them continued success at the next level.

To the Lake Song Chorus.

Since late March, a group of 50 people in Albert Lea have met weekly as part of the MacPhail Center for Music’s Lake Song Chorus.

The choir, part of the center’s Music for Life program, is designed for adults 55 and older and is made up of people living with dementia, their care partners and community volunteers.

The choir has provided an opportunity for its members to meet other people and to, most importantly, share in the joy of music. By all accounts, it has been a resounding success.

We thank Diane Heaney, who is leading the choir, for again sharing her talents with the community for this endeavor.

We encourage people to attend the choir’s concert at 1 p.m. June 7 at the former St. John’s Chapel-Luther Place campus, 901 Luther Place, in Albert Lea. Tickets can be purchased at the door for a $5 suggested donation.