Hats off to a group — actually two groups — of high school students from the west end for investing time and effort to keep memories alive of a tragedy that took place a century ago.

Earlier this week, National Honor Society members from Ishpeming High School traveled to the Ishpeming Cemetery to clean the graves of miners who died in the Barnes-Hecker Mine Disaster. Students from Westwood High School will be cleaning graves next week.

Both efforts are a part of a number of events leading up to the 100th anniversary of the disaster in November. Because it was on Nov. 3, 1926, that routine work at the facility, located west of Ishpeming, set in motion a chain of events that led to a catastrophic mine collapse, trapping and killing 51 miners.

Many of the bodies could not be recovered and remain entombed in the long-capped mine. The 10 miners whose bodies were recovered are buried in the Ishpeming Cemetery. Their headstones were cleaned by students using a biodegradable biological solution and rubber gloves.

According to Mining Journal reporting, the headstones, have, over time, become covered with lichen, moss and stains. The solution will work to kill the living organisms on the stone while also working on the surface stains so that they can be washed away over time with rainwater.

“I feel like (cleaning the headstones) is important because we’re showing our respect to the people who lost their lives in the accident,” said Marie, an NHS student from Ishpeming High School.

“And their families,” added Tessa, another student.

A special group established to plan and implement commemorative events related to the disaster, the Barnes-Hecker 100th Anniversary Committee, will host tours of the Ishpeming Cemetery later this summer. The work the west end students are doing now will help support that effort.