Senior Walk

 

Of all the traditions that came with senior year, the Senior Walk at Oak Ridge Elementary held the most meaning for us. The soon-to-be graduates returned to their elementary school for a morning where they were celebrated by the staff, students, and teachers of the place that shaped who they are today.

The day started with donuts in the high school parking lot, as seniors donned their cap and gowns for the first time. They boarded school busses that dropped them off at ORES, where they were welcomed with much fanfare:

"It's a great day to be a Viking!"

Makayla and Luke (NCRC teammates) are like sister and brother to each other

Luke and Deuce, his across-the-street neighbor and best friend

Another side by side comparison picture:

8th Grade Graduation & Senior Year

Georgia, Luke, and Madison all participated in the GAPP Exchange in Germany together and are good friends

Oak Ridge Elementary School will always hold a special place in our hearts. It's the reason we bought our home in this part of the school district. It's where we found our community, built lifelong friendships, and spent countless hours during our children's elementary years.

These parents have volunteered together, carpooled together, and lived by the saying, "There's always a mom watching," because we look out for one another's kids as if they were our own. We've celebrated milestones, weathered challenges, and navigated parenthood side by side.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, ORES became our village. Teachers and families brought us meals, cared for our family, and made sure L&L felt loved, supported, and cared for during one of the hardest seasons of our lives. 

This photo capture just a fraction of the parents who returned for the Senior Walk to cheer on our babies—now graduates. 

Every current ORES student lined the hallways with handmade signs, cheers, and excitement. As the seniors entered the building to the familiar strains of Pomp and Circumstance, they walked through each hallway: Dream (Kindergarten–1st), Believe (2nd–3rd), and Achieve (4th–5th). Along the way, they were greeted with high fives, hugs, and smiles (and happy/proud tears from the parents):

After the Senior Walk, the graduates visited with their former teachers and classrooms and found their handprint on the wall:

1st Grade Teacher (beginning of year): Mrs. Foster

2nd Grade: Mr. Cockman (absent)

3rd Grad teacher: Mrs. Price

4th Grade Teacher: Ms. Gsell

5th Grade Teacher: Ms. Boggess

Many of the teachers displayed photos of the graduating seniors from the year they were in their class:

Luke and Sawyer located themselves in Mrs. Price's 2017 photo (3rd grade)

Mrs. Francisco was the principal at ORES during these students' elementary years and later followed them to NWMS, where she served as their middle school principal as well. She has always had a special place in her heart for this class, and despite being retired, she came to celebrate their Senior Walk with them:

Mrs. Francisco (wearing white in the middle of the front row) with the Class of 2026

Summer before starting at ORES as a first grader

Luke with Dr. Muller, our beloved NWHS principal

ORES has a saying, "Once a Colt, Always a Colt". 

How we love these special Colts and give thanks for their wonderful beginnings!