Washington seniors carry on parade tradition

Dozens of vehicles with Washington High School seniors travelled around town passing each school building, holding on to a senior tradition during a school year that was cut short for them.

Cars, trucks and SUVs were decorated with senior photos, handmade signs and Washington Demon flags for the senior's parade. Students talked and laughed amongst themselves, listening to music and enjoying doing something as a senior class.

For Washington High School Principal Erik Buchholz, seeing his students again meant everything.

'I want to do everything for the seniors that I possibly can,” Buchholz said. 'Anything to make things somewhat normal. Seeing them today was the happiest I've been in two months.”

Buchholz said along with the parade, the school hopes to hold prom on June 19 and a graduation on June 21, depending on what rules are in place at time. If June dates aren't possible, the school will hold a 'virtual senior night” on June 21 and prom and graduation will be moved to mid-July.

Washington High School Athletic Director Brent Vanweelden echoed Buchholz, saying the parade is a great opportunity for the students.

'We haven't seen our students since March,” he said. 'It's great to get to see the seniors.”

For the seniors taking part in the parade, the opportunity to participate in a tradition with their classmates meant a lot.

'It's great to come together and see the people I've grown up with,” Washington High School senior Emily Schaeley said.

'It means to much to me,” senior Taylor Northup said. 'It's awesome.”

Seniors Addison Six and Rylie Swart rode together in a Washington Demon orange jeep with a Washington flag on the back.

'We can't do much so this means a lot,” Six said. 'Continuing this tradition is nice.”

Lucas Ellis and Jarrett Bender rode with a few other seniors in the back of a truck during the parade. Ellis said he leaves town soon for the army, so the parade meant a lot to him as well.

'Being able to do something with my classmates is really special,” Ellis said.

'This all shows how soon things can be taken away from you,” Bender said.

Grayson Fedler rode on the back of his parents convertible. He said being able to participate in the parade during this time felt a little weird, but he was relieved too.

'It's exciting they are allowing us to do this,” Fedler's mother, Heather said.

'It's certainly memorable,” Fedler's father, Marcus said.