The COVID19 pandemic may have shutdown their graduation ceremonies, but the virus couldn’t steal their joy. The Parks of Stonecrest and The Terraces– two communities in Stonecrest, GA– held a parade to honor their graduates on Saturday, May 16, 2020. Stonecrest City Councilman Jimmy Clanton provided protective masks for the event as cheering neighbors, relatives and friends, following the state’s mandated social distancing due to the coronavirus, came together to salute the students. A caravan of decorated vehicles rolled through the communities honking their horns in celebration.
The communities congratulated the following graduates:
Matoaka Wilson-Tuskegee University
Nadiyah Swann-Miller Grove HS
Sydney Wilson-Georgia State University
Torey Taylor-Arabia Mountain HS
DeAndre Carter -Lithonia HS
Clayton Hyderkhan-Lithonia HS
William Taylor II-Arabia Mountain HS
Dinah Dorsey-Lithonia HS
Christian Peterson-Lithonia HS
Justin Turner-Arabia Mountain HS
Ethan Childs-Southwest DeKalb HS
Keanunna Gamble-University of Texas
Emanni Bates-FAMU, Miss FAMU
Sorenna Stewart-Georgia Piedmont College
Jasiah Mike-Oviedo HS
Special thanks to Edwina Clanton for videotaping the event and Brenda Ausberry & Brenda Williams, who served as coordinators for the historic special day.
1 Comment
Looking at that made me think about the day I graduated from high school and college..days that I’ll never forget.
I visited a friend’s house a couple of weeks where I saw signs of graduates mostly coming out of high school and a couple of others from middle school. Though they’re werent my kids,I still commend their achievements and their next assignment for their lives.
When the Covid-19 pandemic came out,intitally,I was saddened thinking about how many kids missed out on their proms,dances and especially for many..graduations. If I was a parent of a 2020 graduate..like their kids ,it would have disappointed me to oblivion but as these people reminded me..it ain’t over until the fat lady sings.
Some colleges/ high schools also say that they’re off until later months.Whether the graduates are able to/ not able to conduct traditional graduation ceremonies, all should be celebrated . Hopefully,things will be get better in 2021.