With the combined efforts of this year’s Panther Valley seniors, their parents and the community, the Panther Valley graduates of 2020 got their chance to shine Saturday evening.

One week ago, senior Olivia Dacey contacted Frank Juracka and Heather White, parents of seniors themselves as well as members of the graduation committee, about holding a celebratory parade for the senior class. Without hesitation, Juracka and White were on board and making calls.

“The reason we could pull this off is because everyone supports each other in these groups of families,” Juracka said. “Since it was a combined effort and everyone helped out, it wasn’t hard to put together at all.”

He said the parents of the Panther Valley seniors were proactive in donating decorations for the cars as well as spreading the word through Facebook by using groups such as the Panther Valley parent group.

Parents reached out to the local fire companies and ambulances for additional support while driving through the district’s towns, but Lehighton ambulance reached out on their own and asked to participate to support Panther Valley’s efforts. The more the merrier, the parents decided.

White said she couldn’t believe the number of people who came out in support of the seniors. Former Panther Valley teachers, current instructors, parents, students and even members of the community who had no children in Panther Valley came out to cheer on the Class of 2020.

“It was nice to see all of my classmates again, and to see the community backing us in everything we choose to do in our futures,” said Juracka’s son, Justin.

Panther Valley Elementary School teacher Beth Duke posted on Facebook a day before the parade took place and wrote about her admiration for this year’s senior class.

“I can’t even put into words the admiration and pride I have for this group,” Duke wrote. “They have handled every curveball with such resilience and have already exceeded my expectations.”

Although the seniors realized they would not be able to walk across stage together, they decided that having an official escort through town wasn’t too shabby of a way to end the school year.

Senior Meghan Boyle said it was sad hearing they couldn’t have the traditional graduation experience, but said it was amazing to see the overwhelming support from the community. Boyle said that it was such a memorable experience for her that she hopes it can become a tradition for future classes as well.

Alex Romankow, another senior graduating this year from Panther Valley, said it was an experience he will never forget.

Another parent, Erinn Jones, spoke about the tribulations the students went through thus far and said the parade meant everything to them.

“These are kids who missed out on things like prom and a traditional graduation,” Jones said. “But to see the community come out and make signs of encouragement … definitely brought tears to my eyes. It was truly amazing.”

Between the blocks of decorated cars, the members of the community who yelled their best wishes to the seniors, and the houses that were decked out for the event in every single town, the Panther Valley senior class of 2020 expressed that they felt the love and support of their community and will carry that feeling with them in all of their future endeavors.

Tensions regarding graduation may have separated members of the public as recent as May, but the parade worked its magic into the hearts of not only the seniors and parents, but the community.

As one, they cheered on their future doctors, nurses, schoolteachers and professionals.

As one, the community prevailed.

Panther Valley has not announced details of the school graduation ceremony.