By Diane Zhang
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
On Monday, June 3, Rim High’s Class of 2024 paraded through the halls of their former elementary schools and middle school for the annual senior walk tradition.
As customary, senior students walked around their old schools in graduation regalia as teachers and younger students lined the halls to honor the seniors. On this day, a mass of white and navy graduation robes adorned with honorary sashes and cords flooded the hallways of the elementary schools. It was a day filled with tears and laughter as graduates reminisced about their childhoods and old, forgotten memories.
Senior students had the option to visit Charles Hoffman Elementary School, Valley of Enchantment Elementary School or Lake Arrowhead Elementary School, as well as Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate. Along the way, senior students also stopped by the former Grandview Elementary School, which permanently closed in 2015.
Mrs. Flores, who is currently teaching kindergarten at LAE, has been a teacher with the Rim of the World Unified School District since 2005.
“I’ve taught all grade levels from kindergarten through sixth, except for third grade. My favorite part of the senior walk is catching up with my former students and hearing about the next chapters of their lives and what career paths they have chosen,” Mrs. Flores said. “I also enjoy hearing about their favorite part of being in my class. When I see former students of mine, I am full of pride, joy and excitement.”
As a former student of Mrs. Flores’ fourth-grade class, I’ve always enjoyed how she employs a flexible learning model so that students could learn more effectively at their own pace. Of course, small “goodie awards” were also a source of motivation!
I chose to visit Lake Arrowhead Elementary School (LAE) with my fellow graduates who had also attended LAE. Upon our arrival, a crowd of kindergarteners, proud parents and teachers lined the entrance. “Pomp and Circumstance” played in the background amidst teary-eyed reunions and mini-photoshoots with the LAE sign.
During the senior walk, each senior student had the opportunity to be accompanied by a kindergartener student “buddy,” who would serve as a companion during the parade through the elementary school.
“It was a very surreal experience; it doesn’t feel like it’s actually happening,” said Rim High senior Abbigail Lynn Stanton. “I had a little girl as my buddy, and this experience just made me realize that I wasn’t ever going to be in her position again – just be little and play on the playground anymore.”
As for myself, I had the pleasure of meeting a 6-year-old kindergartener student named Avery Coonrod, who was my buddy for the parade. From conversations about a shared love for pink shoes to Avery’s favorite subject (it’s science), it was clear that the students of LAE have a hopeful and bright future ahead of them! As I paraded through LAE hand-in-hand with Avery, she continually reached out to greet and hug her peers. At one point, she tried talking to a kindergartener boy in front of us. Alas, she got no response.
“He’s very shy. He’s even more shy now that the senior kids are here, I think,” little Avery said.
After trips to the elementary schools, senior students reunited at Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate (MPH), a middle school serving grades six through eight. From there, we took part in another parade through the school, as (you guessed it!) “Pomp and Circumstance” blasted through the intercom speakers.
“Don’t grow up too fast,” Abbigail noted, reflecting on her high school years. “Stay a kid as long as you can.”
Editor’s note: Diane Zhang has reported on events at Rim High for the past year. We congratulate her on being one of four valedictorians this year and wish her all the best as she continues her studies at UCLA.
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