Despite the challenges of the past year, high school graduation is something that should be celebrated, said Denise Steck. Steck is the parent of a senior at Donegal High School, and she's been busy coordinating the Donegal Class of 2021 Community Celebration, which will be held Wednesday, May 26, beginning at 6 p.m.
Steck said celebrating seniors was on her mind as her son approached graduation. "I was at a meeting with my other son, and the principal of the high school was there," she recalled. "He told me a lot of kids were asking if we were going to do a parade for the seniors like they usually do every year." Steck made a few phone calls, and soon she connected with Phil Allen, the youth pastor at Cross Roads Church in Mount Joy.
"I was part of the team that did something for the Class of 2020 last year, so I'm kind of the torchbearer here," Allen noted. "We weren't going to do anything this year, but then a parent requested it, and I said, 'If a parent is willing to step up and help, I'm willing to take this on this year as well,' and in walks Denise."
The celebration will include five busloads of students, who will board at the church beginning at 5:30 p.m. The caravan of buses will travel through Mount Joy. The exact route was still being determined at press time. "We'll have the students socially distanced, one per seat, and they can wave out the windows at the community cheering them on along the route," Allen said.
The convoy will return to Cross Roads Church for a celebration that will include free soft-serve ice cream for the first 100 seniors from the Mista Twista food truck. Additional food trucks will be on hand for food sales, and a DJ will play music. Snacks and beverages will also be provided by the church.
Allen said the senior celebration not only highlights the achievement of the students, but also allows the church to fulfill its role in the community. "It's very important for us as a church to let the community know that we're here for them," he explained. "We want to celebrate the Class of 2021."
Steck said helping to coordinate this year's celebration was a rewarding experience. "I really enjoyed last year, watching as a bystander," she noted. "We made posters, and we cheered on the kids as they came by. With this year, when we started this process, we weren't sure if we were going to get the community support, but it all came together. This may be different than what's been done in the past, but it's still a celebration for the kids and the community. We're celebrating these students, and that's what is important."
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