School staff makes "Special Deliveries" to seniors

Friday, May 1 was "Decision Day" for high school students, with the deadline for their after-school decisions that is always a cause for celebration and pride among the senior class. Saturday, May 2, should have been the date of the Manchester High School 2020 prom.

Due to issues related to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, neither of these events happened ... and they are only among the first of a series of special events that probably won't happen for the class of 2020. Or at least, they won't happen in the same way that they have in the past.

Hollie Kolcz, guidance counselor at MHS, wanted to help make up for some of these missed events by doing something special for the senior class.

"We had about 15 MCS staff who made personal deliveries to every senior's home, starting at noon, to drop off personalized senior signs made by SteeleGrafix and donated by the school, the seniors' caps and gowns, and their senior t-shirts," Kolcz said. "We realize that it doesn't make up for any of the things that they were looking forward to this spring; it is just a reminder of how proud we are of each of our seniors, and all of their accomplishments throughout high school!"

High school staff members Leslie Rollins, April Stewart, and Michelle Mrocko, led by guidance counselor Hollie Kolcz (far right), sorted t-shirts and other swag for seniors that was delivered by teachers on Saturday afternoon.

A long line of signs congratulating the MHS Class of 2020 adorned Dutch Drive on Saturday, in preparation for a video posted by teacher April Stewart. The individual signs were delivered to students' homes.

A breezy day may not have made for easy photography, (or good hair days) but the signs were appreciated by seniors and family members alike.

Kolcz said the signs would follow the route that the seniors normally would take to Klager Elementary School, where they could visit their former teachers and also inspire members of classes to come.

There was definitely some rejoicing among the students (and their families and staff!) who received their signs, t-shirts, and caps and gowns on Saturday afternoon. Photos courtesy Hollie Kolcz

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.