Raritan High School's Wave Parade Through Town For Class Of 2020

HAZLET, NJ — Hazlet has always been an incredibly close-knit community. And on May 20, Raritan High School honored the class of 2020 with a wave parade through Hazlet.

The Hazlet school district is also planning an in-person graduation at some point this summer, however it is waiting for more guidance from the governor's office, said superintendent Scott Ridley.

Teachers, administrators and first responders drove through town. The parade was only supposed to go from 4-6 p.m., but it was so unexpectedly popular that it lasted hours longer than that. Still, Hazlet residents and families of graduating seniors patiently stood on their lawns waiting for the cars to come by.

"Hey class of 2020, we miss you so much. We love you, we care about you. Our wave parade is just a little something I can do to make your day extra special," said Raritan principal Andrew Piotrowski. "You are special, you are loved, you are cared about. I want you to have a great send off. Good luck to the class of 2020. You're the best."

Hazlet residents were asked to come out on their front lawns and bring air horns, cowbells and signs in support of the Rockets.

And a week later, on May 27, Raritan High School staff dropped off perishable graduation care packages at the home of each graduating senior. Inside each care package was a pizza kit and a cupcake kit.

The cupcakes were donated by Carousel Bakery on Bethany Road and the pizza kits were donated by Julio's Pizza in Atlantic Highlands. More than 20 Raritan teachers volunteered to drop off the kits.