As cars began pulling out of the West Point High School parking lot, folks anxiously waited on their front porches and along Main Street.
Nearing town center, a symphony of horns belted out as nearly all of the seniors in the Class of 2020 made their rounds during the first-ever senior parade.
With the liberty to design their cars how they saw fit, the senior class told a story with their decorations. As balloons bounced in the wind, full-length posters decorated the outside telling of their sports careers; written along the windows was the story of where they’ll be traveling next: future college prospects.
Likewise, the community matched the senior’s energy. Cheering from their front porches, residents waved as they leaned against banisters clad in posters reading “Congrats, Class of 2020.” Main Street and benches quickly filled as folks took their seats to watch.
“The outpouring of support for the Class of 2020 by the entire community during the car parade through town made me so proud,” Superintendent Laura Abel stated in an email. “Our students were excited and the congratulations and well wishes they received along the route made them feel honored and special. Their smiles were priceless.”
While the students were at home, the division’s graduation committee wanted to do something special for the group. While it could never make up for the events they missed because of school closures, it was designed to make them feel the community’s full support, graduation committee chairwoman Erin Lazar said.
“They already missed out on so much, so we wanted to do something to show support,” Lazar said. “We looked at what other divisions were doing and thought a parade would be great for our community.”
So, with a little over a month to plan, the committee, along with West Point High School principal Jon Hochman and assistant principal Amy Saunders got to work. Coordinating a parade route with the state and local police departments, the committee developed a plan that would bring the seniors from the school, up Lee Street and down Main Street.
The day began with seniors pulling into the school parking lot. With the scoreboard standing overhead, 2020 scrawled across, they lined up to pick up gift bags and their caps and gowns.
From there, seniors made their way downtown and folks tuned into the local radio station to hear a special broadcast dedicated to them.
Monica Gonzalez, a West Point resident and parent of a 2020 senior, said she was excited to see the community come together in solidarity with the senior class.
“It’s really cool and nice to see teachers and community standing on the side of the road giving out stuff to the kids,” Gonzalez said. “I know my son was amazed and proud of the outreach.”
Making their way back to the school, Gonzalez said the class grabbed one last picture together and caught up on their lives.
“You know, a lot of these kids haven’t seen each other since the school closed,” Gonzalez said. “I think they needed to see each other and it was good for them to catch up.”