Vernon seniors take final walk

VERNON — The graduating Vernon Township High School Class of 2017 took their “Senior Walk,” on June 13, beginning through and around Walnut Ridge Primary School, for the last time.
During their walk, bedecked in gold and blue caps and gowns, they visited all six Vernon Township school buildings.
“Take your places in the hallway, to greet our special guests,” boomed the Walnut Ridge loud speaker.
Walnut Ridge students sat along hallways, cheering and clapping, as the 230 students went through the school.
Wide eyed pre-schoolers looked up at tall seniors walking through their hall.
One young man assured them, “High school will be great, guys.”
Teachers told the students, “Congratulations!”
“Oh, we made pottery! Yeah!” remembered another young man, walking outside his old art class.
SCA President Trisha Furman-Leve originally proposed the Senior Walk idea.
Principal Rosemary Gebhardt said Walnut Ridge was “where they started,” for most of the children who have been in the school district 13 years.
Gebhardt said, “Many of the teachers here had these students:” Debbie Hyche has taught 36 years; Maureen Sweeney, 20 years; Denise Docherty - the art teacher who has taught “thousands of students,” 29 years; Michael Moschella, around 30 years – the music teacher who “has had everyone of these kids;” Janet Eckhardt, 17 and one half years, retiring now; and Lynn Barone, around 20 years.
“This is the class I had,” she continued — as Glen Meadow Principal — when they were in eighth grade.
She added, “I love this class. They are such excellent leaders. Very, very bright students — going to excellent schools. They have always been a great group of kids.”
Ultimately, the rev of six buses carried the students off to their next nostalgic stop along the way.