NEW BANNERS FEATURING Norway High School graduates will welcome visitors to the city’s downtown. The Norway Downtown Development Authority, in collaboration with the city and Norway Mercantile, will sponsor the banners free of charge to seniors or their parents. The deadline to submit information is Wednesday. DDA Event Coordinator Gina Zanon displays a 2025 NHS graduate banner ready to be hung on a lamp post on Main Street. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

NORWAY — The city of Norway this year has a new way to honor its hometown graduates.

Personalized banners of Norway High School 2025 graduating seniors will hang from the decorative lamp posts along Main Street in the downtown.

The custom project is sponsored by the Norway Downtown Development Authority, along with collaborative efforts from the city and Norway Mercantile.

“We want to celebrate our local students’ accomplishments,” Norway DDA Event Coordinator Gina Zanon. “They also serve as a reminder of the community’s support and pride in its youth.”

Banners that feature the senior’s portrait, name and year are free to any graduate in the Norway School District, including those who were homeschooled.

“I love the project and the recognition our students are receiving,” NHS Principal Joe Tinti saids. “They look awesome — I’m excited to see them completed.”

Tinti added he hopes this is the beginning of a stronger partnership between the community and school district.

Zanon said the DDA’s new initiative was inspired by similar programs in other area municipalities.

The city’s Department of Public Works is now installing completed pieces.

“We want to have them all on display before graduation,” Zanon said.

The banners will remain in place until June. After they are taken down, they will be presented to each graduate as a gift.

The deadline to have a banner made is Wednesday. However, Zanon encourages any senior or parent who hasn’t submitted their information to Norway Mercantile to do so as soon as possible.

Anyone interested can contact the Norway Mercantile at 906-563-9865 or e-mail jensskpa@aol.com with a pdf of the graduation photo.

“We want to get your picture up there,” Zanon said, adding to date they have 20 participants.

The DDA would like the new project to become an annual tradition.

Continuing with the banners, Zanon wants another series to highlight historic downtown businesses.

She plans to use the same type of banner that will show the old business in front of their former locations.

“I’ve been working on getting historical photographs together all winter,” she said. “I am really excited about this project.”

Zanon said she would like it to develop into a self-guided historical tour of the downtown.

Visitors will be able to pick-up a pamphlet or scan a code on a wayside exhibit that would direct them to each location.

The historical projects could lead to other events and activities in the downtown, she said.

“I would love to host a night where we go back in time and have locals portray former business owners and residents,” Zanon said, adding it would require a lot of volunteers to make that happen, “but it would be so much fun.”

Those interested in volunteering for future events or projects should contact the DDA through its Facebook page, she said.

“I’m working on ways we can not only get people downtown but expand services here,” she adds. “Hopefully growth will help with the numbers at the local schools.”

Zanon noted the DDA will soon be awarding their facade grants to give several downtown businesses an upgrade.

They also should complete the mural being painted in Veterans Park by October.

“By August, people are going to notice a change to Norway’s downtown,” she added. “Norway is definitely going to have a new look.”