Tributes flow for ACS Senior Class of 2020

As the end of the 2019-20 school year begins to wind down, traditions morphing into something new and different due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Governor’s Executive Order will keep Akron Schools closed through the end of the school year, while learning continues with online teaching and assignments or paper materials for those without internet access.  In the meantime, substitutes for year-end celebrations and events will have to do, making for unique memories during unprecedented times, particularly for Akron Central High School seniors and their families.

Donations from local businesses, organizations and individuals have funded banners that will recognize each graduating senior with their name and photo.  The two-foot by three-foot banners will be hung from telephone or light poles from the school on Bloomingdale Avenue down through Main Street, Akron.  Gratitude is extended to personnel from the school’s Building and Grounds Department, under the direction of Mr. Michael Coram, for assembling the mounts for the banners and the Akron Department of Public Works and Superintendent Jon Cummings for securing parts and getting the banners hung.  The banners will eventually be given to the seniors as a keepsake.

The Junior-Senior Prom, originally scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2020, has been cancelled, along with the traditional meet and greet with family and friends in Russell Park for pre-prom photos.  In its place, local fire companies from Akron, Newstead, Clarence, Clarence Center, Rapids, Wolcottsville, Pembroke-Indian Falls, Alabama, Crittenden and Millgrove will join for a symbolic convoy of firetrucks at 20:20 standard military time, or 8:20 p.m. that evening.  The route will be announced on the school website as the date draws near.  Students and their families can participate while adhering to social distancing mandates set forth by state and local government and health departments.

The high school’s May 28th Scholastic Honors Dinner has also been cancelled, but seniors who maintained High Honor Roll status for all quarters throughout four years of high school will still earn and receive the embroidered blanket that has been tradition for many years.

The Akron PTA has developed an “Adopt an Akron Tiger Senior” Facebook page. Friends and community members are invited to “adopt” an ACS senior and shower them with some extra attention – a card or letter, a care package, or maybe delivery of a meal from their favorite restaurant – ideas are limitless!  Please contact Melissa Garverick or Melissa Polkowski of the Akron PTA at the “Adopt an Akron Tiger Senior” Facebook page or pta@akronk12.org.

Seniors can also look forward to receiving a commemorative engraved 2020 penny keychain donated by Akron Artisans SMFX.

While plans for graduation are still in the works, seniors can still count on a senior video created by Mrs. Cornell-Slater, Art teacher for the High School, which will include photos from events beginning from their days as kindergarteners all through the years.  Photos of seniors from events during the past year are currently featured on the district homepage at www.akronschools.org.

Mr. Brandon Ricci, High School Principal, is coordinating the many efforts to honor ACS seniors, and if necessary, can be contacted at the High School Office at (716)542-5030.