Teachers, staff surprise graduating Pirates with celebration

Senior Hunter Knight smiles for a photo before picking up his cap and gown.

Gina Lovelace is the second senior to pick up her cap and gown. Lovelace is part of the top 10% of her graduating class.

Braden River High School teachers and staff members decorated the campus to celebrate seniors.

Sheri Wildebour, a paraprofessional, cheers for seniors as they pass by in their cars.

Toni Mullins-Staker, an English teacher, says seeing seniors come by for their caps and gowns is bittersweet. "I want to hug them," she says. "It's been so long since we've seen them."

English and drama teacher Barbara Helfrick brings her puppy Ellie to congratulate the seniors coming to pick up their caps and gowns.

Senior Hannah Badenhorst waves to teachers and staff members are she passes by. "This is so awesome," she says. "I'm sad. I don't want to be done."

Senior Hannah Badenhorst grabs her cap and gown from Kymmie Marriner, a social studies teacher and a senior advisor.

Braden River High School teachers and staff members practice social distancing while cheering for seniors.

Kymmie Marriner, a social studies teacher and senior advisor, holds out a cap and gown for a senior while Dayna Grella, a school nurse, cheers.

School nurse Dayna Grella, receptionist Avis Boldin and school counselor Kirsten Lawlor cheer and wave to seniors as they pick up their caps and gowns.

Jenny Elsdon, the language arts department chair, waves to seniors. "They deserve so much more than this," Elsdon says. "They're capable of doing amazing things."

Senior Madigan Wilford waves to her teachers as she gets her cap and gown.

Marybeth Witham, a science teacher and senior advisor, takes a selfie with senior Jesenia Haslem.

Senior Demi Dionela decorates her car to celebrate her graduation.

Senior Penelope Sugg receives a trophy from Jeramiah Bowman, the band director.

Math teacher Jeff Hill hands senior Daniel Matejek his cap and gown.

Mark Torlucci celebrates his daughter Sophia's graduation from the high school.

Andrew Wilford and his son Callum hold up 2020 balloons to celebrate the Class of 2020. Andrew Wilford's daughter Madigan is graduating this year.

Dick and Marcy Gordon show off the sign they made for their grandson Kyle Wampler, who is graduating this year. "We hope and pray they get their real graduation," Dick Gordon says.

Families cheer with signs congratulating their seniors.

Sara King and Holly Antoszewski wave to their sons Matthew King and Liam Antoszewski as they drive by after picking up their caps and gowns. "We want to try to do anything we can to make it feel special," Sara King says.

Senior Isabella Macias accepts her cap and gown from Kymmie Marriner, a social studies teacher and senior advisor.

Senior Denise Perez stops her car so Braden River High School teachers can frame her and digital photography teacher John Frank can take her photo.

Senior Faith Gamborota chats with business teacher Stefanie Minihan. The two have stayed connected while students haven't been allowed on campus due to COVID-19.

Seniors Juan Brito, Daniel Sipes, Jeremy Rinehart and Cameron Ostenson put on their caps and gowns for the first time. The seniors will put their caps and gowns on again at the July 31 graduation ceremony.

Marilyn Kelly, a social studies teacher, congratulates the Class of 2020 on their graduation. "It's amazing to see them after so long," she says. "I hope (the parade) makes them feel special."

Senior Sophia Torlucci and business teacher Stefanie Minihan have enjoyed being in class together and working on the school store, Captain's Cargo.