'It’s really cool': Kohler High School's unique graduation tradition hits 100th milestone
CBS 58 KOHLER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Graduation season is here, and one local school district has an ongoing tradition to celebrate that's unlike any other.
This year marked Kohler High School's 100th graduating class, and each of those classes celebrated with the coveted tradition called "Scroll Night."
“Tonight is a night we call 'Scroll Night' and, in the village, this is a tradition for us where all the graduates come down and there’s a memory speech and the maypole dance," said Riley Holzrichter, a 2026 Kohler High School graduate. "It’s kind of just a way for the village to celebrate the local graduates before graduating on Sunday.”
For Holzritcher, the event is more than just a school tradition, it’s a family one.
“They had us look back in a few of the books, all the way back I can find my Mom’s signature, my uncle's signature, so it’s really cool they keep all of them,” said Holzritcher.
Seniors walk between cedar chains carried in by underclassmen, showing off their personalities with those who were by their side every step of the way.
Then it's time to take a stroll down memory lane, as students shared the highs and lows of their time in kindergarten all the way to senior year.
“I think it’s just really brings the community together and also just allows the class to have some time to kind of reflect before graduation and also build the excitement for graduation Sunday too,” said Holzrichter.
Musical performances lead up to the big moment where the 60 seniors got to sign the scroll that’s been passed down from generation to generation.
“You know in 5th grade we did the maypole dance, and then we got to hold the tassle and then now we’re here," said Helena Saunders, a 2026 Kohler graduate. "Now we’re graduating, which is wow.”
Celebrating all they've accomplished and those who will follow in their footsteps next.
"I think it’s like really creative of our school, especially since I don’t think any other school does this," said Ava Erlien, a 2026 Kohler graduate. "So, I think it’s very unique."