Hope to host graduation parade today

All of Hope will become a sort of commencement stage this afternoon, as the town recognizes the Hauser graduating class of 2020. 

With the distance-learning school schedule for most of the spring semester, and the cancellation of most school events such as sports, prom and graduation ceremonies, high school staff have been trying to find a way to recognize the students for their hard work in trying circumstances.

Aleesa Dickerson, the school's agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, said that the idea came together to have a parade of students through the town. Both the students and their supporters will remain inside vehicles so as to maintain social distancing, but the kids will be able to see the support Hope traditionally shows during graduation ceremonies. 

"We are so proud of them and they absolutely deserve to be celebrated," Dickerson said. "Graduation in Hope has always been something that everyone has been a part of. Even if you do not necessarily have a graduate, so many people attend graduation on a Friday night. We just want to let them know that we are here for them, we support them, we are excited for them and they absolutely deserve this celebration."

The parade will take off from Hauser at 5 p.m. today and wend its way through the usual Hope Heritage Days parade route. She suggested that those wishing to support the kids, should line the parade route while remaining in their own vehicles.

"We have asked (students) to be a passenger in their vehicle so they really have the opportunity to enjoy the experience, and see the people that are celebrating them," Dickerson said.

"They will be met at the school by teachers who will be sending them off out into the world, kind of like we would at graduation. The parade is going to be led by our two retirees: Mrs. Wanda Siebert and Mrs. Kathy Kramer, who are both going to lead the students through the Hope Heritage Days parade route. That will also give us a way to celebrate Wanda and Kathy because they have given so much of themselves to our school for so many years."

She said that the Hope Police Department and quite a few local volunteer fire departments have also agreed to take part in the parade. 

"Everybody loves a fire truck in a parade, so that is what we are looking for," she said. 

Dickerson said that there is no way to be sure how many of the school's graduates will take part, but she said several she talked to seemed excited and discussed what sorts of rides they could bring to the parade. 

"I also have encouraged the kids to decorate their vehicles, as long as everything is road safe and really kind of play this up -- play their own music, their own soundtrack through the parade route," Dickerson said. "We will be playing 'Pomp and Circumstance' as they go around the square for them to listen to and kind of get that graduation feel as well."