Seniors receive signs of the time

DECATUR — High school graduation is a time of rejoicing for many seniors across the country. It’s a time when a long 12-year journey ends and another lifetime one begins.

But the recent pandemic has shut down the seniors’ moment to shine for several months or, worse, indefinitely. However, schools across the country are finding inventive ways to honor this year’s graduates.

One day before the original May 8 ceremony at Peterson Gym in Decatur, the senior Class of 2020 picked up their caps and gowns in the high school parking lot.

But there was something special about to greet each one as they pulled into the parking lot.

Up, on the hill near the main entrance to Decatur High School, were 35 lawn signs placed on each side of the sidewalk (18 on one side and 17 on the other). Each senior had a graduation photo on the left side of the sign and his or her name above the Decatur High School Class of 2020 on the right.

When the covid-19 pandemic outbreak closed the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, including the graduation ceremony, Steve Watkins, school superintendent, Toby Conrad, high school principal, and three senior class sponsors looked for ways to honor each Decatur senior.

Getting the idea from several area high schools, Watkins and his team decided to honor them with a lawn sign. Not just a sign showing they were 2020 Decatur High School graduates, but one that would stand out and show “here is a 2020 Decatur High School Class of 2020 graduate.”

Only a handful of school staff members knew about the signs in order to keep them a secret from the seniors until the Thursday morning event.

When Paige Barrett, the first one to pick up her cap and gown, rolled up to the tables, she was met with Toby

Conrad and her lawn sign. She was surprised by the unusual gift for a moment until she had one of the staff take a picture of her and her sign. An hour later, Barrett’s mother Lisa posted the photo on Facebook.

Little by little, the hillside began to empty until, at noon, only five were left. They were removed and taken inside for the new owners to pick up later in the day.

Decatur High School, like Gravette, Gentry and others around the area, plans to have some kind of graduation ceremony after July 1 if it’s deemed safe.

Mike Eckels may be reached by email at meckels@nwadg.com.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Mike Eckels) After picking up her cap and gown, Paige Barrett looks at the lawn sign given to her by Toby Conrad, Decatur High School principal, during senior cap and gown pickup day in the high school parking lot May 7.