St. Regis finds innovative way to honor its Class of 2020

With senior classes missing out on so much over the course of the COVID-19 outbreak St. Regis Schools Fan Club wanted to find a special way to give these students recognition and honor their hard work.

School counselor and St. Regis alumni Tyler Cheesman can relate with the senior’s sense of loss.

“It hits home with me, I was sick most of my senior year and missed out on so many events I was looking forward to,” Cheesman said. “I especially feel for them and hope they can still make the best of their senior year.”

Around the country schools are having to find ways to celebrate senior classes that can’t participate in that traditional walk across a stage to receive their diploma in front of friends and family. So, when Cheesman and one of the founders of the St. Regis Fan Club, Charlee Thompson, saw another town’s way of honoring their students they quickly got to work trying to replicate the idea. Large print banners displayed on lamp posts around town with the seniors’ photos and Class of 2020.

The light posts that line Mullan Gulch Road in St. Regis’ main stretch of town are maintained by the Resort Board. After coordinating with board member Jessica Connolly, the Printery in Plains crafted the senior’s individual signs, and Kirk Willhite hung them around the four-way stop on April 29.

“It was a group effort!” Thompson said.

Many stepped up to fund the project Cheesman noted.

“The fan club jumped on board as a sponsor and many individuals in the community chipped in to cover the cost!” he said.

Now as residents and visitors pass through St. Regis, they see the poised faces of young adults about to embark on their next step in life. As the school prepares for their modified graduation ceremony on May 18, Cheesman explained, “We only have eight students in this year’s senior class so it gives us an opportunity to plan for them while keeping social distancing guidelines in check.”

Rain or shine, graduation for St. Regis will be conducted outside on the school’s football field. Immediate family will be allowed to join on the field, spread apart for social distancing. Extended family and friends are asked to park along the outside fence line of the football field. The school hopes to to livestream the ceremony and record it so family members who are not able to be there or travel can participate.

In addition to the outdoor graduation ceremony Cheesman is working on coordinating a parade from the golf course to the school beginning at 5:45 p.m. Monday, May 18.

To precede their ceremony and join in on the celebration she shared, “My hope is that the entire community will line the streets and make noise for them as they head to graduation. This way everyone can be involved and stay safe!”

Thompson is not only a school board member and fan club organizer but she is first and foremost a mother to senior Kylee Thompson.

“It’s sad,” Thompson said. “There are a lot of traditions and rights of passages that they are missing out on. One of the best things about living in St. Regis is that the community rallies together to make things work.”

“It might not be what we were all expecting but we will make it special and looking back I hope everyone sees it might even be a little more special because we are all in it together,” Thompson said.