Local high school holds parade for seniors picking up caps, gowns

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Staff at Phillip O. Berry held a parade for students Monday as they picked up their caps and gowns.

“We wanted to celebrate them as seniors, a lot of teachers we haven’t seen our kids at all since March so it’s pretty emotional for us to see them drive through,” teacher Melissa Downing said.

Although graduation ceremonies are still up in the air, teachers wanted to make sure students got the gowns they’ve waited their whole lives to put on.

And they did so in a special way.

“We’re doing the best we can to make sure that they get their cap and gown that they paid for long ago and make it as exciting as possible for them,” Downing said.

A graduation task force is working through graduation ceremony alternatives and options. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools seniors and their families should be getting a survey this week to provide input.

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Officials said they’re committed to finding a safe and healthy way to celebrate students and teachers said they are committed more than ever to showing their students how proud they are of this milestone.

“You’ve worked so hard, I love you, your staff loves, you keep your head up. You’ve gotten this far, it’s only up from here,” Downing said.

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