Cheering kids and beating drums were heard throughout Sto-Rox schools on Thursday morning as seniors paraded through the halls for the 2023 Senior Walk (photos below). Seniors hopped on a school bus to start their tour at the Upper Elementary, where they walked the halls. Highlights included flowers from 5th graders for the soon-to-be-graduates, led by teacher Kristy Shuhilo.
The Upper Elementary walk was followed by a short trip down the road to the Primary Center. Students were accompanied by the Sto-Rox Drum Line, led by 2022 Sto-Rox Graduate Chrystal Sircely, along with Media and Yearbook students who documented the walk. At both schools, teachers Denise Grimme and Rebecca Ray gave their former students photos of themselves - much to their delight.
Then, the students returned to the Junior/Senior High School to walk proudly past their fellow students before wrapping up this proud tradition with Superintendent of Schools Megan Van Fossan. The superintendent offered words of congratulations and encouragement to the seniors. She also told them the district will always support them, whether they leave Sto-Rox or stay here. For those who stay, she stressed the importance of welcoming them back into the fold.
“It’s going to take you coming back into this community and making us better,” she said. “If you’re going to study to become a teacher, and you want to work to here, our doors are open. We would be happy to have you as student teachers and we would be delighted to have you on our teaching staff when you complete your degree.”
Superintendent Van Fossan didn’t just limit her invitation to education majors. She told anyone interested in work after graduation to reach out to the district.
“We are very, very, very proud of you,” she said as she closed her remarks. “You worked hard to get here and do wish you the very best of luck. You are part of our Sto-Rox family, you’re a part of alumni family as of next Friday, and we hope that you will continue to reach out to us as part of our school community.”
Special thanks to all of the students and teachers who cheered their hearts out, not to mention school administrators and the organizer of the walk, teacher Ben Engelhard. Congratulations on another successful event!
Photo Gallery: 2023 Senior Walk
