HOLLAND, Texas — Classes are canceled and many graduation ceremonies have been called off or changed dramatically through the coronavirus pandemic.
So, parades have become the new normal, especially to honor graduating seniors.
"Myself and a few other businesses and then a few of us moms decided to get together to raise some money to get baskets for them," Lannie Pacha said. "And then we decided to have a parade."
Between rain showers Saturday, Holland community members lined the streets in the downtown area to honor the Hornets' Class of 2020.
And the seniors were moved when they saw everyone they've known most of their lives show up to celebrate.
"It makes the best out of a bad situation," Caleb Cearley said. "You can't have a real graduation with all your family and everyone, but at least this gets the community involved and all your family and friends and everyone who loves you and has grown up watching you."
It was also a chance for the seniors to celebrate with their classmates.
"Because we're all going to go somewhere else," Clay Cooper said. "You never know whether we're going to see each other again."
The parade was the first part of a farewell to 53 graduates who saw their final months taken away during the pandemic, as Holland ISD begins other plans for these seniors beginning Monday.
But, after leaving the school parking lot for the final time in March without knowing it would be the final time, seeing the support of the town which shaped them was something the seniors said helped them cope.
"I think we're all depressed from sports and stuff ending early," Zane Spinn said. "I think we'll be fine, but this helps a little bit."
Together, with each round of applause, honk of a horn or cheer from a family member or friend, this group of Hornets saw it will always have a hive to return home to.
"It's really amazing how a community can come together and completely support the senior class," Megan Depew said. "It's really amazing."
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