By Vicki Brown
Small children with big eyes watched in awe as seniors from Colleton County High School proudly walked through the halls of their elementary school.
At Forest Hills, elementary students reached out and gave a lot of “high fives” to teens wearing their graduating caps and gowns. The seniors strolled through the halls of the local elementary school, with music blaring from the school’s loudspeaker. Some of the seniors stopped to hug teachers from their past. Meanwhile, some teachers looked on with pride as they saw former students who are now graduating.
These “senior walks” are being held throughout the Colleton County School District as a way for graduating high school seniors to encourage younger students to stay in school.
CCHS Senior Sierra Obenaus said she is thrilled to participate in the program. “I think this is cool. We get to show the little ones what they can be in the future,” she said. “They can be valedictorian, salutatorian, get sports awards, or anything, and this gives them something to look forward to.
“I remember watching seniors walk the halls in their caps and gowns when I was in school here,” she said.
The Senior Walk was created roughly six years ago and has been held annually since then.
According to Colleton County School District spokesman Sean Gruber, the purpose of the Senior Walk is to help build enthusiasm and momentum in local elementary school students to encourage them to graduate.
“I see this as an inspiration, a way to give kids motivation to eventually graduate, especially coming after the pandemic. Hopefully, this will give them a boost of confidence,” said Dandre Hicks, graduating CCHS senior.
Organizers Debi Price and Allie Utsey say they are gratified by the spirit of the teachers, teens and children.
“It is amazing to see the seniors and remember when they walked these halls so many years ago. I haven’t seen some of these kids since they were last here, and it made me teary to see former students who were once in my class now ready to graduate,” said Price. “I am so proud of them and see what they have accomplished. I hope this motivates the young students here. I explained to my students that this is what they can do in their future…graduate.”
This year, Cottageville Elementary School, Forest Hills Elementary School, and Hendersonville Elementary School hosted Senior Walk events on Tuesday, May 31. Northside Elementary School hosted its Senior Walk on June 1. Roughly 80 seniors participated in Senior Walks throughout the Colleton County School District.
