Turn out for Bulldogs on Boston to celebrate Nederland seniors before Friday graduation

Published 12:20 am Wednesday, May 27, 2020

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The Nederland Independent School District is preparing to celebrate the Class of 2020 in their final week as high school seniors.

A Bulldogs on Boston event kicks off the festivities with a drive-thru parade at 7 p.m. Thursday on Boston Avenue.

Rene Latiolais, communications coordinator for NISD, said the event was initiated to celebrate the Class of 2020 in a unique way by stepping out of the box.

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“We know this has been a difficult year for everyone and we all need a little joy in our lives right now,” she said. “What better way than to allow our community to help celebrate our students’ success?”

Senior students will drive down Boston Avenue in their vehicles, waving and cheering before heading to senior sunset.

As an important annual tradition, Latiolais said keeping a modified version of senior sunset helps make things a little more normal for students.

“Tradition is something we hold near and dear to our hearts in Nederland ISD, and this event is held every year for our students,” she said. “While it is a little different by staying in their vehicles and at a different location, the concept is still the same.”

Rising with the sun the next morning, seniors will make their final graduation preparations before heading to Ford Park for the final walk.

Nederland ISD Class of 2020 Graduation Ceremony starts at 7 p.m. Friday at the Ford Park Amphitheater.

Nederland High School Principal Steven Beagle said the district is extremely excited for the opportunity to have an in-person graduation ceremony for the seniors.

“We realize it has been very difficult for them and we want to do everything we can to ensure that they have this experience,” Beagle said. “Our students are extremely resilient and they deserve to celebrate this moment.”

Nederland High School senior Jenna Butler said she is particularly excited to see all of her friends and family one last time this year.

“I’m honestly just excited that Nederland High School is actually putting on a graduation,” she said. “I know a lot of schools in the area are not and I’m glad our administration is trying to do everything they can to make a memorable moment for us.”

Butler said even though graduation and senior sunset will look a little unconventional, that makes the memory even more memorable.

“It will be special to have that parade,” she said. “It’s something we’ve never had before, but because everything is so different we will all remember it afterwards.”

Beagle said he can’t wait to finally see the culmination and celebration of the incredibly hard working Class of 2020.

“These students come from hard working families,” he said. “We are very proud of all of their accomplishments and although this has created a lot of adversity for them to overcome, we feel that they will be stronger and more resilient to be able to face the challenges of life. We are so proud of our seniors and we wish them tremendous success as they move forward in their future endeavors.”

Nederland ISD’s elementary campuses will also be celebrating their last day of school Thursday with their own farewells.

Helena Park, Langham and Hillcrest Elementary drive-thru parades will start at 5:30 p.m. with Highland Park’s glow party scheduled for 8:30 p.m.