Sheldon, Iowa — As we know, the COVID-19 pandemic has played havoc with numerous events planned here in northwest Iowa, and around the country, including proms, graduations and the like.
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That’s why, this Friday, May 15th, Sheldon High School will be holding a parade to honor the Class of 2020, as well as the District’s teachers who are retiring this spring. Sheldon High School Principal Sherrie Zeutenhorst tells us why they decided on a parade.
(As above) “With the school closure, we really didn’t have a really great way to honor our retiring teachers and feel like our seniors are being shorted a little bit. They have a lot of lost moments and so we just felt like this would be one way that we could honor not only our retiring teachers but also our seniors with this parade and it does allow the opportunity for our community to come out and thank our teachers and congratulate our seniors.”
The parade will stage in the high school parking lot. Zeutenhorst talks about the route it will take.
(As above) “We’re going to head west on East 4th Street, just heading right in front of the high school. We’re gonna go south, take a left on to Washington, and then we’re going to take a right onto 6th Street, go right past the city park, then head south on 3rd Avenue go straight through downtown, then go east on 10th Street all the way to Washington. At Washington we’ll head north for about a block and then we’re gonna head east on East 9th Street. Once you get to 23rd Avenue we’re gonna head north for a few blocks, and then once we get to East 6th Street going to head west and then head right back on 19th Avenue, right back to the high school parking lot.”
We asked Zeutenhorst if she thought the Senior Parade might become an annual event.
(As above) “We’ll see how goes this year, maybe it’ll start a new tradition. I’m not sure but, yeah, we just hope that our community comes out and celebrates all those years our teachers have given to the district and also the celebrate the accomplishments of our seniors. Graduating is a really big moment in their lives and a really big accomplishment. I just hope it’s a celebratory moment, for not only are retiring teachers but for our students.”
In addition to the parade, the Sheldon Community School District has something special planned for the Class of 2020.
(As above) “Our district has purchased a yard sign for every senior, and we’re going to have those yard signs on display in front of the high school the day of may fifteenth. We’ll get them out there in the morning, so if seniors want to drive by, or community members, just to get a glimpse of all of our seniors with the picture on their yard signs, that would be awesome. Then we’re going to take those down right before the parade and make sure all the seniors get their yard signs to take home, and proudly display in their yard.”
Zeutenhorst says the public is invited to attend along the parade route and show the community’s support for the graduating seniors, and retiring faculty. She reminds everyone to practice social distancing while viewing the parade, and wear masks if you are comfortable doing so.
Friday’s Sheldon Class of 2020 Parade will depart the high school at 5:00 pm, and will be broadcast live on KIWA-FM 105.3, with live video streamed from our website, kiwaradio.com and on KIWA’s Facebook page.
A map of the parade route may be viewed below……
