Polk County Sheriff Tim Wright looked to the skies, hands out, palms up, and shook his head.
“Of course,” Wright said Friday morning as rain steadily pelted Polk County High School.
The ongoing global coronavirus pandemic kept a Polk County High School tradition – Senior Walk – from happening. In a typical year, Wolverine seniors would have journeyed as a class to Polk County Middle School, walked through the halls to applause from students and faculty, then separated to each return to the elementary schools which they attended for more recognition and reminiscing.
But this is far from a typical year, which meant Senior Walk was a no-go. But school officials worked to develop an alternate plan – Senior Drive.
Each senior arrived Friday morning at PCHS and lined their cars behind Wright, County Manager Marche Pittman and other law enforcement and rescue vehicles while PCHS staff and faculty members lined the school driveway, umbrellas in hand.
The rain didn’t stop, but promptly at 10 a.m. the caravan still began its journey, passing by the gathered school personnel before traveling to Polk County Middle School, where more staff and faculty awaited with signs and smiles.
The seniors then went their separate ways, returning to Polk Central, Saluda, Sunny View and Tryon Elementary campuses for a final visit to the place where their academic journeys began.
By afternoon, skies had cleared and the sun shone across Polk County, no doubt a sign that better days are indeed ahead for the PCHS Class of 2020.
