Courtesy Photo Helen-Ann Cordes is pictured with both the original and newly digitized composite of the Harrisville High School Class of 1949, which included her grandfather.

HARRISVILLE — A new initiative is underway at Alcona High School to preserve the legacy of Harrisville and Alcona High School graduates. Led by Helen-Ann Cordes, a proud member of the Class of 2008, the project focuses on digitalizing, reprinting, and reframing all senior graduation composites currently displayed at the high school. The original photos will be safely stored to protect them from deterioration, while new high-quality prints will be displayed in their place.

Many staff and alumni expressed a strong interest in preserving Alcona Community Schools’ irreplaceable historical records for future generations.

“These composites represent generations of Alcona Tigers and the stories of our community,” said Superintendent Dan O’Connor. “We’re thrilled to have one of our own alumni lead this project with such heart and dedication.”

For Cordes, this project is deeply personal.

“I’m honored to take this on, not only as a graduate myself but also as the daughter of an Alcona 1979 graduate and granddaughter of a Harrisville 1949 graduate,” she said. “Walking the same halls as my parents, grandparents, and now current family members is incredibly meaningful. This project gives me the chance to help preserve their legacy and the legacy of so many others who helped shape the history of our school and community.”

As she digitizes each composite, Cordes is also able to restore minor image damage, such age spots and discoloration, while preserving the original character of each student’s image.

Community support is welcome for this project. Volunteers will be needed to review and verify the names and images on each composite to ensure accuracy during the digital restoration process. Anyone interested in helping compare composites once they have been completed can contact Cordes.

Cordes extended a special thank you to Class of 1966 graduate James Effrick, who generously loaned the school his high school yearbook so senior photos could be scanned. The class composite from 1966 had seven damaged senior photos, and since the school’s archives are missing a few yearbooks (including the 1966 edition), Effrick’s contribution was especially valuable. Of the seven damaged photos, only one was not included in the yearbook.

An added bonus from scanning Effrick’s yearbook was the discovery of nine additional senior photos of students listed in the “not pictured” section of the class composite, including Effrick himself.

“I am excited to include senior photos of classmates who were missing from the original composite,” Cordes said. “I’m also partnering with our yearbook class to help identify other seniors who were not pictured but do have a senior photo in the yearbook, so they can be added to their class composites as well.”

Financial support to assist with printing, framing, and preservation costs is welcomed for this project. Donations can be made to the Alcona Community Schools Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan. Donations to the project can be made online at cfnem.org or mailed to Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, 100 N. Ripley Street, Suite F, Alpena, MI 49707. Checks can be made out to “Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan” with the memo: Alcona Community Schools Endowment.

Those interested in volunteering and donating to this project can contact Helen-Ann Cordes at cordesh@alconaschools.net or 989-736-8534 x 4405 for more information.