The city’s high school seniors who have been forced out their classrooms by the coronavirus will have something else to remember about this school year.
For the first time, a parade of the city’s high school seniors is planned on Park Avenue at 6 p.m. May 15.
The parade is planned to begin from 2nd Street to Circle Park and back.
The seniors are to wear caps and gowns and march six-feet apart for social distancing.
Tara Fruge LeBlanc’, president of Eunice High Alumni, and a local business owner, approached Mayor Scott Fontenot about a possible graduation parade. LeBlanc added, “This is going to be a historic event for everybody.”
LeBlanc stated she has received approval from the city for the parade.
Also approving are principals
Mitch Fontenot at Eunice High and Charles Hazard at St. Edmund Catholic High.
The Rev. Hampton Davis, pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, has approved, she said.
LeBlanc said that she had a dream about what she could do for graduating seniors in Eunice. She said, “I dreamed, it was Holy Thursday, before Easter, that Eunice had a parade. I thought about this dream all weekend, and wondered, why not have a parade for the two Eunice schools of graduating seniors.”
LeBlanc added, “Each school will have further information to send out to their students about the details of where to meet according to students last names. They will also let you know when to pick up honor cords or whatever else the students need for this wonderful community event.
“Students will need to wear comfortable walking shoes, no high heels are recommended. The public is invited to attend. No one will need a graduation ticket this year. One can line both sides of the streets of the march route and show their support with flags, banners, signs or just yourself.”
Fontenot said, ”I’m excited that our students can be recognized on their graduation date. I am looking forward to seeing them march in their graduation gowns that they worked so hard for. I plan on walking with them and will be proud to stand with them.”
Hazard said, “I am very happy that all of the senior students in the town of Eunice will be honored and recognized for all of their dedication and hard work. I would like to thank the mayor and the City of Eunice for hosting this event for all of the graduates.”
Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot said, “Funny thing about her idea, I was actually thinking of trying to do something for the Eunice graduates during the same time. I told Tara that if the schools wanted to do a parade, and if she contacted both schools and principals at the school, and that they were OK with it, then it was fine with me,” he said.
Fontenot said with everything going on during the pandemic, that this would be something great.
“It is important for students to celebrate. They have all worked hard in school, and got cut off short with different events and things in school during their senior year because of the pandemic. This parade will be a part of their senior memories."
Fontenot also added and emphasized for the public to be a part of the graduation parade, but, however, to keep to the proper social distancing and respect each other at the event.