Class of 2020: Santa Teresa High School parents create signs to honor senior students
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- High School seniors across the Bay Area are dealing with the difficult reality that their academic year is done with proms, graduations and other activities cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This includes the seniors at Santa Teresa High School in San Jose, Calif.
It is a devastating reality for the students and their parents.
"I can't put my arm around my daughter and say, 'it's going to be alright and I know what you're going through'," STHS parent Lars Samson said. "I don't know what you're going through. No one in our lifetime has gone through this."
RELATED: Student Spotlight 2020: Honoring high school, college seniors
They may not know how it feels, but can still offer a sign of encouragement to these seniors through an actual sign.
Throughout the Santa Teresa community are decorations created by parents and local sign company Fast Signs.
The signs honor students that have been through so much.
"This group of kids are just so resilient," STHS parent Heather Samson said. "They really know what it means to be independent and fight for what's important to them."
"It's just a tiny thing, but if it makes a little smile in the midst of tears, it's a good thing," Lars Samson said.
These signs are obviously important for parents to honor their kids, but it also has a strong message for the students as well.
Every time that they see these reminders in front of their home, they'll know that they were part of one of the most unique graduating classes in Santa Teresa history.
"I'm still proud to be a Saint," STHS Senior Kaelie Taylor said. "We're still sad, but it makes us happy that our school colors are out in our neighborhood and we're still represented in the ways that we can be."
Other San Jose high school parents have followed suit and started putting their own signs out highlighting seniors.
The hope is that despite what has been taken away, the students' accomplishments are never forgotten.
"It just makes me happy to know that our name is out there and our seniors are out there," STHS parent Stefanie Taylor said. "The parents are super proud. Whether they have a sign or not, we're proud and we want the kids to know that."
If you attend Santa Teresa and want a sign of your own, you can contact Fast Signs in Campbell, Calif. or contact Stefanie Taylor on Facebook.
The price of each sign is $11.
Congratulations to the Class of 2020.
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- Live updates about coronavirus outbreak in US,around the world
- Coronavirus data: See how the curve of COVID-19 cases is bending in each Bay Area county
- Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
- Stimulus calculator: How much money should you expect from coronavirus relief bill
- WATCH: ABC7's interactive town hall 'Race and Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation'
- What Bay Area tenants need to know about rent payments, eviction amid COVID-19 outbreak
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area/
- Coronavirus and the new normal of livingin the San Francisco-Bay Area -- COVID-19 Diaries
- Happy hour goes virtual as people try to be sociable while social distancing during COVID-19 crisis
- Coronavirus Outbreak: Here's why you should practice 'social distancing'
- DRONEVIEW7: What the Bay Area looks like during the coronavirus shelter-in-place
- ABC7's drive around San Francisco shows empty streets, businesses shuttered
- Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
- List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
- Canceled late fees, free services available amid COVID-19 crisis
- Here's how you can help during COVID-19 pandemic
- How to maintain learning during school closures
- No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
- Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions
- Asian community fighting racism, xenophobia, bigotry as world fights COVID-19
