Warrior Walk Inspires Havre de Grace Students: VIDEO

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — Before graduating, members of the class of 2018 showed they had taken to heart the Havre de Grace High School motto: "Enter to learn; leave to serve."

The day before their graduation, Havre de Grace seniors trekked over to Havre de Grace Elementary School, clad in their caps and gowns, for the 0.4-mile Warrior Walk.

It's a tradition that Havre de Grace Elementary School Principal Ronald Wooden and Havre de Grace High School Assistant Principal Brad Spence came up with together in 2016.

"There was a video going around Facebook of a similar walk in Texas," Spence recalled. "Serendipitously, Ron Wooden, at the elementary School, and I emailed each other at virtually the same time exclaiming that we needed to make this happen! We had been working together to look for opportunities to collaborate and this one was perfect."

There were several reasons why it was such a good idea to link the two schools, he added.

"The proximity of the schools, the shared families of students, and the close-knit environment of Havre de Grace made for a perfect storm of opportunity," Spence said.

"We quickly put a plan together that worked for all, and we did it!" Spence recalled of the first Warrior Walk.

"At first, the class of 2016 had no idea what to make of it; and honestly, their first reaction was to complain about walking down the street in their caps and gowns given how hot it can be at the end of the school year," he said. "However, once our graduating seniors were inside Havre de Grace Elementary School, their smiles grew; they hugged family members and former teachers and exited the building with GIANT smiles."

Ever since, the walk has been a hit.

"Now, graduating classes and our entire community look forward to when we walk down the street; cars will honk their horns and yell their congratulations and words of encouragement. We even have community members stop to watch and take photos," Spence said.

Harford County Public Schools shared the Warrior Walk video on Thursday, May 31, embedded above.

The Warrior Walk took place after the senior awards ceremony, around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30. A panoramic class of 2018 photo was taken, then the group walked over to Havre de Grace Elementary.

"The timing allows us to arrive just as the elementary school students are starting their day," Spence said in a statement to Patch. "We walk through the entire school; music is blaring and everyone is cheering as the high school students high-five the Little Warriors and Havre de Grace Elementary School staff. "

Continued Spence: "We take a moment in the gym, where Mr. Wooden addresses the graduates, wishes them luck and then we head back to Havre de Grace High School for the final graduation practice."

Graduation was held on Thursday, May 31.

Congratulations Warriors, to the class of 2018!

Video and still picture from Havre de Grace High School/ Harford County Public Schools.