Coronavirus canceled NC school’s graduation, so all 220 seniors got parades instead
Graduation ceremonies are being canceled nationwide due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but one North Carolina high school decided a diploma in the mail wasn’t good enough.
Instead, West Craven High Principal Tabari Wallace surprised each of his 220 graduating seniors their own personal parade, including patrol cars from the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, squad cars from Vanceboro and Bridgeton police departments and fire engines from four different towns.
It happened Monday and involved volunteers and school staff split into 14 groups so they could cover 485 square miles in a four-hour block of time, according to EducationNC.
Video recorded during the blitz shows Wallace wearing a cap and gown and presenting congratulations yard signs to the students, some of whom were clearly surprised to find him standing in their front yard.
“This is a perfect illustration of it truly takes a village,” Wallace wrote on Facebook. “It was truly a special day!”
North Carolina decided weeks ago to cancel a return to campuses for the rest of the school year, in hopes of stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Students are expected to continue their classes remotely from home.
Commenters on social media lauded Wallace and the volunteers for giving students and their families a moment of recognition for four years of hard work.
“This made me tear up!” Martinette Horner posted on Wallace’s Facebook page.
“I love how big your heart is for the students, staff and community,” Debbie Humphrey wrote.
“It was one if the greatest things I’ve experienced so far in my career,” parade participant Briee Zy posted on Facebook. “Loved seeing the class of 2020 and their families reactions. It is priceless. I would be lying if I said I didn’t shed a few tears. This was a very special day for them and us educators.”
This story was originally published May 1, 2020 at 12:42 PM with the headline "Coronavirus canceled NC school’s graduation, so all 220 seniors got parades instead."