‘My gift to you.’ NC principal honors Class of 2020 by writing all of their names on wall.
Apex Friendship High School principal Matt Wight is celebrating the Class of 2020 by writing the names of the 590 graduating seniors on a wall in the school as part of a tribute video.
It’s unclear whether high schools in Wake County and the rest of the nation will still hold graduation ceremonies this year because of the social distancing requirements being used to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Wight said he was inspired after hearing about a high school principal in Illinois writing the names of his seniors on a wall and putting together a viral video.
“Whenever anybody asks me about the best part of my job, without hesitation I say it’s handing diplomas to the graduating seniors at commencement,” Wight says in a video posted Monday on YouTube. “It’s a tangible personal moment that is unique, and it’s the high point of the school year for me. So I was worried that I wasn’t going to be able to hand every one of you your diplomas.”
The time-lapse video shows Wight painstakingly writing every senior’s name and reflecting on them.
“So the Class of 2020, it’s my hope and prayer that I’ll be able to hand you your diploma personally,” Wight says in the video as he wears a graduation gown while standing in front of the wall. “But until then, this is my tribute. This is my gift to you.”
North Carolina is among 43 states that have ordered or recommended that public schools be closed for the rest of the academic year, according to Education Week.
Wake County school leaders said Friday they haven’t given up on holding traditional graduation ceremonies this year.
Wake is looking at options such as moving graduations into July and August or holding them in stadiums where social distancing is possible. The district is also considering holding virtual graduations and ceremonial parades for seniors.
Wake is also having high schools spotlight outstanding seniors on Twitter with the #wcpsscelebratesseniors hashtag.
This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 5:13 PM.
