Rachel Owings, a senior at Truman State University in Kirksville, stands on the porch of her family home Tuesday in Mexico. She was participating in the "Lights in the Name of Love" event …
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When teachers drove through town March 25 as part of a “Paws-itive” parade for students returning to lessons through distance learning due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it inspired Mexico High School yearbook sponsor Jami Williams to do something similar for the Class of 2020.
In-person classes ended March 19 for Mexico School District 59 through at least April 13.
The “Lights in the Name of Love” event was held Tuesday. Mexico High School seniors could take an opportunity to drive through neighborhoods in the evening to see houses decorated with lights and more to support the class. Williams wanted to give the seniors a positive memory.
“I’ve been in touch with my seniors and they are really let down, so I thought this is something to do that is safe,” William said.
She put an event on Facebook and its announcement grew rapidly, with multiple streets in town taking part.
“We asked people to put up signs and lights that said things like ’Congratulations 2020,’” Williams said.
The yearbook class still is working to create a final product by the school year’s end. Seniors are worried about missing out on certain final year milestones, like prom and graduation, Williams said.
“The last couple months of school for the seniors are rough, but it is that rough you want to remember,” she said.
The seniors, because of COVID-19, are being robbed of those final sentimental moments, she said.
“I just wanted to do something to let [the seniors] know they are not forgotten,” Williams said.
All of the The Mexico Ledger’s coronavirus coverage is being provided free to our readers. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to The Mexico Ledger at mexicoledger.com/subscribenow. Help keep local businesses afloat at supportlocal.usatoday.com.
nav-oc Naviga Writer 2020-04-02T19:48:57Z false yes NEWS
