Between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon on Wednesday, May 23rd Kennett High School teachers and administrators, as well as members of the Kennett Education Foundation (KEF) placed yard signs on the lawns of all 326 members of KHS’s 129th graduating class, the class of 2020. These volunteers drove district bus routes, planting the signs at the homes of seniors.
The signs were funded by a generous donation from the KEF. Lettered in Kennett blue and white, of course, and featuring the Kennett “K” logo, each sign proudly proclaims Kennett Education Foundation Congratulates the Class of 2020. The reverse side of the sign offers the same good wishes in Spanish.
KEF printed a total of 400 signs, with plans to place the additional 75 signs at the high school itself, all of the district elementary schools, the middle school, the Y, the Garage, and other businesses and locations around town, so residents are reminded of the important milestone reached by KHS seniors. And, the graduates can see tangible proof of the pride of the entire Kennett community in their achievement.
Ann Schlitz, KEF board member, saw pictures on social media of other schools across the country using signs to honor their graduates in this unprecedented time. When she approached her fellow board members with the idea to do something similar in Kennett, she “received the fastest unanimous approval ever!”
“Everyone jumped at the idea,” she said.
Senior class advisor Peggy Hughes was tasked with organizing the distribution of the signs and recruiting volunteers. “When I asked for help, the response was overwhelming. Everyone wanted to do something. Our seniors are so loved, not just by those of us at the high school but by the whole community,” said Hughes.
Kennett High School principal Dr. Jeremy Hritz added, “We are very disappointed for our seniors for the way their year has been disrupted. Honoring them with the yard signs is a way for us to let them know we are thinking about them and that we care about them. We are grateful for the KEF making this possible!”
Dr. Rudy Karkosak, former KCSD Superintendent, current KEF president, and grandfather of two KHS seniors, also extended his best wishes. “The Kennett Education Foundation is pleased to partner with Kennett High School and the school district in honoring the Class of 2020. We realize that the seniors are missing many of the activities that they would have shared as graduates, but we hope they will accept these signs as recognition of their accomplishments and a token of the community’s support,” said Karkosak.
Channel 6 ABC News was on hand Wednesday to film the event. The story aired at 4:30 and 6:30.
Students are encouraged to pose with their families in front of their sign and Tweet their photos @KCSDKennettHS.
Congratulations to Kennett High School’s Class of 2020!
