After years of hard work, growth, triumph, friends, first loves, and fun, high school eventually comes to an end.
This year, Van ISD, a school in Van, TX, enacted a momentous new tradition to help usher their graduating seniors into the next chapter of their lives.
Clad in their graduation caps and gowns, these seniors walked through the elementary, intermediate, and middle school hallways, each lined with younger kids from every other grade.
The other children cheered on the graduating seniors with smiles and high fives, completely in awe of these awesome older kids and their amazing achievements.
Walking back through these halls was a richly symbolic way to celebrate just how far all of these young folks have come in life thus far. With each step, they reflected on the beautiful lessons learned in these halls — teachings they’ll bring with them to their new endeavors.
This heartwarming new ritual will hopefully remain a tradition in this school, and countless other institutions, for years to come.
Scroll through below to see how this high school’s traditions are launching seniors into the rest of their lives in the most heartwarming way possible.
[H/T: Scary Mommy]
Recently, the senior class of Van Independent School District celebrated its graduating high school seniors with a touching new ritual.
Adorned in their caps and gowns, these seniors set off on their “Senior Walk.”
The graduates marched down the elementary, intermediate, and middle school halls, lined with smiling kids from each grade.
All of the kids sat in awe of these seniors, completely inspired by their accomplishments.
Graduation propels seniors forward, into an entirely new stage of life.
While this time in any young person’s life is typically rich with future-pondering possibility, it’s also a beautiful opportunity to reflect on past triumphs.
This walk gave each student the unique opportunity to physically trek back through each year of their schooling, recalling memories and appreciating their journeys.
On their Facebook page, Van ISD shared some of their graduating seniors' reactions to this Senior Walk.
Senior Sabrina Swinford said, “It was a nice reminder of where we’ve come from. At least for me, being a 13-year student, it was nice to retrace my steps today.”
Many of these students spent kindergarten through 12th grade in these same schools, walking these halls day after day, and growing into tomorrow’s leaders.
Leaving any institution after so much time is undoubtedly emotional.
On this Senior Walk, these students could walk through that emotion in a cathartic way, completely supported by their community.
Observing these wide-eyed younger kids cheering her along, senior Ashley Mosley said: “I never knew how much of an influence we had on the younger kids, but seeing their faces light up as we walked through their halls and high-fived them, it really put it in perspective for me.
"It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Elizabeth Horton agreed, saying: “Walking through the halls of the schools and waving to all the little ones brought me so much joy.
“It is an incredible thing to know that so many young people look up to us seniors.”
Now, these adorable younger kids have even more to look forward to, as this Senior Walk is bound to be a tradition this school keeps going strong, indefinitely.
By sharing this story on social media, this school hopes others will adopt this lovely ritual, giving countless graduating seniors the same opportunity to reflect on the past as they prepare for the future.
Van ISD gifted its graduating high school class with a Senior Walk each student will likely never forget.
What do you think of this “Senior Walk” tradition? What do you remember of your high school graduation? Tell us your story in the comments.
Please SHARE this beautiful story with other graduates and parents of graduates in your community!
