VIDEO: Seniors take a walk down memory lane

ROCKINGHAM — Students at East Rockingham Elementary School gathered as a student body for the first time since the pandemic to celebrate graduating seniors who used to sit in their seats.

Every elementary school in Richmond County hosted their graduating former students on their respective tracks for a lap surrounded by cheering students and teachers.

“It was great to be together,” said Principal Jamie Greene, who was the assistant principal at the time that many of the Seniors were young students. “It was great to see a lot of them and hear their college plans.”

Teacher’s assistant Tony Terry said the East Rock students were excited to make posters and signs to celebrate.

“I always tell them, ‘One day you’ll be here and get to this point,’” Terry said. “I feel like they enjoy coming back where they started from. Seeing these young kids and thinking this used to me at one point and seeing where they grew from.”

Graduating seniors and their younger siblings were able take photos together at the end of the lap.

Ashley Shepherd, a fifth grade math and science teacher, taught many of the students at Rohanen Middle School in sixth grade.

“They’ve grown so much,” Shepherd said. “If I had seen them on the street, I might not have recognized them!”

Shepherd said that the event allows staff to encourage their students to start thinking about their education and setting goals for graduation.

“A lot of them were like, ‘Man, this is going to be us in a few years,’” she said.