So many obstacles to overcome, no less under such an extraordinary set of circumstances.

Even under the most unprecedented of times, members of the Northern Lehigh Class of 2020 made the best of the ungodly hand they were dealt.

For their perseverance, the students can take satisfaction to know their names proudly grace a pair of banners that adorn Main Street in both Walnutport and Slatington.

The pair of 2-by-20-foot banners were made specially for members of the class, compliments of Identity Group LLC, Slatington, according to owner Malcolm Gieske.

Gieske said the idea for the banners stemmed from a call he received from Mary Oncheck, who wanted to do something to acknowledge the students for their admirable achievement.

“She just was really saddened that they can’t have a real graduation, parties, and I was definitely on the same page,” Gieske said. “She thought about doing banners on the street.”

Gieske said that in order for the banners to come to fruition, Oncheck had to reach out to high school Principal Robert Vlasaty, along with the boroughs of Walnutport and Slatington.

Oncheck said she came up with the idea as a way to recognize this year’s graduating class, which her granddaughter, Alison Lorah, of Walnutport, is a member of.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of these kids; they have gone through such adversity,” Oncheck said. “It’s really sad.”

Oncheck, of Walnutport, said she saw that neighboring school districts were celebrating their students and “wanted to do something” to acknowledge her granddaughter’s class.

“It’s to the point where some of these kids are going to be getting ready, and we’re trying to get as much time as possible (with Alison) before she leaves (for Hawaii),” she said. “So many of these kids are going to go to college and not have hardly any senior recognition; they missed out on so much.”

Oncheck added that if she feels that way as a grandmother, she can only think of what the mindsets of parents must be like.

“I’m imagining the parents, my son and his wife feel the same way,” she said. “They’re (the students) missing out on so many memories.”

Enter Gieske, who offered to donate the pair of banners and logos, along with the names of all the graduates.

Gieske said he donated the design and printing, while the boroughs were responsible for hanging the banners in their respective communities.

The reception to the banners has been nothing but positive, said Gieske, who resides in Lehigh Township and is a 1992 graduate of Northampton Area High School.

“The common thread is that everyone is happy to see there’s some level of recognition for these graduates,” he said. “We’re not out touting it; we just did it and put it up.”

Gieske said Oncheck was the person who initiated the idea for the project, and that his company was merely there to lend a helping hand.

“We have the means to produce, and it sounded like the right thing to do,” he said. “It went smoothly; we created the artwork, sent it to Mary, and she received the (go-ahead).”

Oncheck said she’s pleased with how the banners turned out.

“I think they look fine,” she said. “It’s something that recognizes them.”

Oncheck said it’s Gieske - and not she - who deserves the credit for the banners.

“They’re up, and the kids can see them; they have to go close to see them, all 106, but they’re there,” she said. “Thanks to Malcolm; he did that.”

Gieske, who has been in business for 28 years, including the past 13 with Identity Group LLC, said the pleasure was all his.

“We wanted certainly the graduates to be the star of the show,” he said. “Anytime we can get involved with philanthropic (deeds), that’s more rewarding than the biggest profit we can ever make.”

Northern Lehigh School District is scheduled to host its graduation ceremony July 24. More details on the graduation are set to follow.