A simple gesture is reminding several hundred high school seniors that in the midst of a worldwide tragedy, they are cherished by an entire community.
The stadium lights on Parkview High School’s football field will come on at 8:20 p.m. (20:20 military time) every weeknight and remain lit for 20 minutes and 20 seconds.
“It’s something small we can do to give the students a virtual hug while we’re away from each other and practicing social distancing,” said athletic director Nick Gast. “The lights are on a timer, but the graphics on the scoreboard have to be added. It’s something cool to do to keep it positive for the students. We miss them.”
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Gwinnett County students have been doing their school work at home online since March 16. Gov. Brian Kemp recently announced that schools will remain closed through the rest of the academic year. And last week, Gwinnett laid out plans to end the school year. Most significant for many students is that the last day will still be May 20 as originally planned.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution came by to see firsthand the special-ness of shining those dazzling lights in “The Big Orange Jungle” as the field is referred to.
Several students also came to gaze at the field and reflect upon what’s going on right now and what will be going on in their immediate futures.
Caitlyn Bradley, Megan Hollister, Kelsey Watkins and Jenna Bryant were hanging out on the field and cheering for themselves.
“I FaceTime my friends every day, but it’s not the same,” said Kelsey.
Jenna nodded.
“We missed prom and a lot of other significant things,” she said.
All four are graduating seniors and were saddened that they’ll miss senior week, which would have been taking place this week, sports banquets, graduation parties and a host of other events.
Tossing around a football outside the stadium fence, both Tyler Wagner and Nolan McCord said they’re fortunate that they signed college letters before the mandatory shutdown.
Both will be playing football at their respective colleges, but so far will be leaving shortly after Gwinnett’s virtual graduation.
While all students are taking the news hard, Gast recalled that his baseball team learned about the school closure in the middle of a game.
“Everyone thought they would be out for a few weeks and we’d be back to normal,” said Gast. “But it looks like this is what normal is like now.”
Like everyone else, he’s waiting to see what sporting events will look like when people are allowed to gather in groups larger than ten. Parkview was hoping for a state championship three-peat in baseball this season.
“Of course there are bigger things at stake right now,” Gast said. “But sometimes it’s the little things that can hurt the most.”
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