Highlands School Seniors Class of 2020 had their final year of high school cut short because of COVID-19.
However; teachers, staff, students, and parents worked together to get through the last leg of the school year using remote learning.
In an effort to recognize seniors for their accomplishments while maintaining social distancing, School staff held several parades honoring grades K-11, athletes, and seniors in May.
Seniors also took part in a parade through downtown Highlands where family, friends, and supporters throughout the community lined Main Street cheering.
Last but not least, the final two Senior Spotlights:
Carlos May Gomez
Carlos May Gomez
Carlos May Gomez has participated in the Soccer Program for 3 years.
Future Plans: “Go to WCU and pursue a degree in computer science.” Carlos plans to live on campus.
Shoutout: “Shoutout to everyone at Highlands School!”
Favorite COVID-19 activity: “Working for Jim Tate at Tate Landscaping.”
Carlos May Gomez
Dylan Laderoot
Dylan Laderoot
Shoutout: “Mr. A is da realest O.G.”
Favorite COVID-19 activity: “I found a new fun video game”
Dylan Laderoot
Preparation for Senior Parade through downtown Highlands
Highlands Seniors decorated their cars for a parade through downtown Highlands after the 2020 School Year. From left are Highlands Seniors Morgan Olvera, Emma Weller, Briana Norris, Sayla Roman, and Camren Dalton.
From left are Highlands Seniors Jordan Powell, Michael Herbert, Reid Ingate, and Matthew Barnes.
From left are Highlands Seniors Dillon Schmidt and Bill Miller. They had to get special permission from Highlands SRO Officer Tim Broughton to ride motorbikes in the parade through downtown Highlands.
Highlands Seniors Isaiah Tucci-Caselli and Marilyn Valerio.
Highlands Seniors from left are Patrick Woods, Pablo Jiminez, Taj Roman, Bailey Schmidt, Ryan Talbert, and Jeslyn Head.
Highlands Seniors from left are Morgan Olvera, Emma Weller, Kedra McCall, and Sayla Roman.
Senior Parade through downtown Highlands
Highlands Seniors drove through downtown Highlands several times to celebrate the end of the 2020 School Year. Pictured above is Highlands Senior Jeslyn Head waving as the caravan made its way through Town.
Highlands Seniors from left are Kedra McCall, Morgan Olvera, Sayla Roman, and Emma Weller making their way through 4th and Main Streets during the downtown SeniorParade.
Highlands Senior Sophia Nguyen in the downtown Senior Parade.
From left are Highlands Seniors Pablo Jiminez and Patrick Woods.
Highlands Senior Brianna Norris at the lead of the Senior Parade with supporters lining the street cheering.
Driving the VW bus is Senior Michael Herbert making his way through downtown Highlands.
From left are Highlands Seniors Dillon Schmidt and Bill Miller riding motorbikes in the Senior Parade.
Several youngsters showed up to give their support for the graduating Class of 2020.
Highlands underclassman also showed up togive their support for the Class of 2020. From left are Ava Schmidt, Julia-May Schmidt, Allison Dayton, Reese Schmidt, Jeffrey Olvera, Jordan Carrier and Reid Carrier.
Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park
After the parade through downtown Highlands, Seniors met at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park for some photos.
Highlands Class of 2020 as a group in front of the stage at Founders Park in Highlands.
From left are Highlands Valedictorian Camren Dalton and Salutorian Morgan Olvera.
Highlands Seniors from left are Bailey Schmidt, Patrick Woods, Taj Roman, Isaiah Tucci-Casseli, and Pablo Jiminez.
From left are Highlands Seniors Kedra McCall and Emma Weller.
From left are Highlands Seniors Ryan Talbert, Bailey Schmidt, andJeslyn Head.
From left are Highlands Seniors Matthew Barnes, Michael Herbert, Reid Ingate,and Jordan Powell.
From left are Highlands Seniors Dillon Schmidt and Bill Miller.
From left are Highlands Seniors Kedra McCall, Ryan Talbert, Sayla Roman, and Jeslyn Head.
Highlands Seniors acting goofy.
Editor’s Note: We tried to time the party poppers with no rehearsal, it sort of worked out.
Senior Parade at Highlands School
Highlands School Senior Erin Sanborn and her mother Dawn Head.
Editor’s Note: The world lost two amazing people, David and Dawn Head, in a tragic accident on May 23. Shortly before the accident, I took some senior photos of Erin and asked Dawn to choose one and send it to me to post with this article. On May 22, she sent me 5 that were her favorites and said she couldn’t decide which one to use. They are pictured below.
From left are Highlands Seniors Freda Olalde and Lilly Deal at the Senior Parade hosted by Highlands School.
The Schmidt family rolling through the parade in honor Highlands Senior Bailey Schmidt (far right).
Highlands Senior and Valedictorian Camren Dalton during the Highlands School Senior Parade.
Highlands Senior Tien Nguyen giving the thumbs up during the Senior Parade.
Highlands School Senior Brianna Norris waves during the Senior Parade. Mother Tami in the background waving excitedly.
Highlands School Senior Reid Ingate gives the dual thumbs up at the Senior Parade.
From left are Highlands School Seniors Kedra McCall, Jeslyn Head, and Ryan Talbert.
Highlands School Senior Lilly Deal waves going through the Senior Parade.
Highlands School Senior Freda Olalde at the Senior Parade.
Article and photos by Brian O’Shea
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Downtown Senior Parade gallery:
Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park gallery:
Highlands School Senior Parade gallery:
