Weston Ranch High’s seniors had a chance to parade through their old stomping grounds.
They were showered with congratulations and other encouraging words from administrators, staff, teachers and students from area feeder schools, Great Valley, August Knodt and George Komure.
“A majority of our students were from those elementary schools,” Weston Ranch Principal Francine Baird said on Monday.
Graduation is 7 p.m. Thursday at WRHS Stadium. Some 267 seniors will be honored that evening.
They broke in their caps and gowns during Senior Walk Day, an idea that Baird formulated last year to bridge the high school with that of the feeder school sites.
Seniors needed only to don their graduation regalia to board the bus and participate in this second-ever event.
Many got to see their former teachers and administrators while snaking past the various classrooms – In this order, Great Valley main site and annex, August Knodt and George Komure – while greeted by a wave of youngsters.
“This makes my year,” said Komure third-grade teacher Susan Christie, who constructed a cap and tassel “Go Grads” poster for all to see.
She added: “I told my students that I want to be here long enough to see them come back (for Senior Walk Day).”
Christie got a bit choked up seeing some of the familiar faces who are now grown and approaching adulthood.
Jose Zetino was among those who attended Komure.
He displayed his enthusiasm to his old elementary school, giving hugs and high fives to youngsters. “This was a beautiful morning,” said Zetino of his involvement with Senior Walk Day.
According to Baird, about 260 seniors took part in this special event.
She credited teacher Debbie Chavez for helping make possible Senior Walk Day.
Baird was joined by Vice Principal Dave Smith and Dean of Activities Jason Furtado during the visits to the nearby kindergarten- through- eighth- grade sites.
“Our feeder schools are awesome – the way they decorate the sites in anticipation of our seniors,” she said. “They have the most fun.
“It was so awesome to watch their eyes light up.”