Highs and lows of Class of 2014

Those who have been following The Vindicator’s coverage of high school graduations in the Mahoning Valley this spring likely have noticed this general trend: The Class of 2014 tends to be smaller than any in recent memory. In fact, federal data show American high schools this year are harvesting the lowest number of graduates — about 3.2 million — in more than decade.

An ebb in the birth rate 18 years ago largely is responsible. But locally, the decline also is deepened by ongoing migration out of the Valley and high dropout rates in some districts.

Despite generally smaller class sizes, the thousands of 2014 graduates throughout the region are large on enthusiasm, joy and pride — as they should be in achieving one of life’s signal accomplishments.

Beginning Monday and continuing through the week, The Vindicator will publish full lists of 2014 graduates from 56 high schools in the region. We congratulate each and every one on those lists for their praiseworthy achievements.