Seniors able to celebrate with cap and gown in hand

Senior Rileigh Horcher wears her cap and gown while posing next to a celebratory yard sign. The PTSA wanted to celebrate seniors in light of an in-person graduation being cancelled.

Ananda Ghoshal, Staff Reporter

 Governor Greg Abbott cancelled in person school for the state of Texas on Friday, but seniors were still able to get a taste of graduation at Thursday’s cap and gown pickup. Students were to stay in their cars while Jostens gave them their cap and gown.

“We worked closely with Jostens to ensure that seniors and their families could pick up their caps and gowns without leaving their cars,” principal Ashley Rainwater said.

For many students, coming back to school made them feel nostalgic because they have not been on campus in a long time. For senior Tasnia Ullah, it was sad to realize that it may be the last time on campus.

“I was so sad because I will never be able to go back since I am graduating so seeing the building and some of the staff made me kinda emotional,” Ullah said. “None of us expected our senior year to end this way but I am glad we got to go one last time.”

While picking up their cap and gown, the seniors had received something extra as a surprise.

“We got a yard sign that said ‘congrats to the 2020 graduates,” senior Shohini Ghosh said. “It was so sweet of them to give us that made me feel special and made me smile knowing our school is trying every way possible to make us seniors feel so special. I’m very grateful.”

Working with the Parent Teacher Student Association to order the signs for the seniors, principal Rainwater decided that the signs should be expanded to all seniors.

“We were so happy to find a way to celebrate our seniors,” Rainwater said.