Solon Lights Up For Graduating Seniors

SOLON, OH — One of the many rituals the new coronavirus upended was the yearly celebration of graduating high school seniors. Faced with creating original ways to recognize the class of 2020, Solon decided to have a glow up.

For 20 minutes and 20 seconds, on Tuesday, the lights at the football stadium burned bright. Community members were encouraged to flick on their porch lights or simply leave a light on to recognize Solon High's departing seniors.

"We wanted to surprise some of our kids on Tuesday with the lights," said Tamara Strom, a Solon Schools spokesperson. "We know many students don't have the same touchstones and we want to roll out more events like this."

On Monday, Gov. Mike DeWine announced all K-12 schools in Ohio would remain closed through the end of the school year. While online learning will be allowed to continue, many of the end-of-the-year milestones would have to be delayed or re-imagined.

The Solon Schools, like districts across Ohio, are discovering new ways to honor students at all grade levels, but especially their class of departing seniors. Strom said the district also wants to find methods of celebration that are largely free for students and families to enjoy.

"Many families and students are experiencing loss right now, loss of these touchstones, loss of jobs. We want to be attuned to that," she told Patch.

Strom said future celebrations for seniors and other grade levels will be announced as they're rolled out. If there's a veil of secrecy around some of the happenings, it's because the district wants there to be some "pop" for students.

District leaders are also discussing how to handle practical end-of-year routines, like material collection and locker clean-out. No decisions have yet been made on those events, but the community will be informed when one is made.