Two Kent neighbors chatting recently near their mailboxes decided they wanted to do something to honor 2020 graduates in town since no traditional graduation ceremonies are planned because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
So at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, the Kent Class of 2020 Car Parade will hit the streets of the Misty Meadows/Pheasants Hollow neighborhoods on the East Hill.
Lynette Hansen, a retired Kentwood High School teacher, and Diane Nielsen, whose son Stephen Nielsen is graduating this month from Kentridge High, came up with the idea during their friendly talk.
“(We) were chatting at the mailbox (socially distant) about COVID-19 restrictions and how disappointing it must be for the graduates not to have all of the traditional experiences to complete their high school years,” Hansen said in an email. “Diane suggested that we do something within our neighborhood community to celebrate – and the parade idea was born!”
The women agreed that the parade should include all graduates – from kindergarten to college.
“We are hoping that it is equally as fun for the neighbors as it is for the graduates,” Hansen said. “During this time of stay home, stay safe, we thought that everyone could benefit from having something fun to look forward to.”
The neighbors placed flyers on the mailboxes in the Misty Meadows and Pheasants Hollow neighborhoods and asked the participants to register by email.
But the parade isn’t just for graduates in the two neighborhoods. Graduates from throughout the city are invited.
“Participants that do not live in the neighborhoods are encouraged to invite their families to join in the fun,” Hansen said. “We ask that they park on a nearby street that is not on the parade route and find a sidewalk to stand and cheer on the graduates while maintaining social distancing.”
Graduates are encouraged to wear their cap and gown, decorate their car and create a sign for the car showing their name and school name.
So far, graduates have registered from Kentwood High School, Kentridge High School, Kentlake High School, Green River College, Highline Big Picture High School, Oregon State University, Sunrise Elementary and some students who are home schooled.
Leslie Hamada, Kent School District board president, agreed to be the grand marshal of the parade. Puget Sound Fire will send a fire engine with a banner congratulating the graduates to lead the parade.
The parade will start at the corner of Southeast 224th Street and 127th Avenue Southeast. Vehicles will head south on 127th Avenue and wind through the neighborhoods before exiting at Southeast 228th Place and 132nd Avenue Southeast. Neighbors have volunteered to direct traffic.
Debbie Fisher, whose senior daughters plan to join the parade, loves the idea.
“I think it’s wonderful that this neighborhood is planning this – and personally think Kent School District should be ashamed of its inaction on graduation, when districts like Tahoma, Sumner and Federal Way have come up with hybrid graduations in June that include both virtual elements and limited in-person elements,” Fisher said in an email.
How to register for the parade
Graduates must preregister to participate. Send an email with your name, contact information and school name to MistyMeadows2020@gmail.com. Once registered, participants will receive specific details about the parade, including a route map.
The deadline to register is Monday, June 8.
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