King Philip Regional High School held an end-of-the-year car parade for members of the Class of 2020 on Saturday, June 6.

Organized by Principal Lisa Mobley, Media Specialist Cheryl Rowe and Student Council Adviser Barbara Snead, the event featured parades that originated in each of the three towns comprising the King Philip Regional School District--Norfolk, Wrentham and Plainville. Students made their way to KPHS from their elementary schools, along routes lined with cheering residents.

Upon arriving at the high school, the seniors were greeted by teachers and administrators waving and cheering them on. Cars featured signs with supportive messages and were decorated in the school’s green and gold colors.

Police and fire departments from each of the three towns escorted the seniors.

Sunday, June 7 would have been the high school’s graduation, were it not for the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is far from the way our seniors expected to be ending their high school careers, but their determination and hard work during the entire pandemic has been truly remarkable,” Superintendent Paul Zinni said. “We congratulate each and every one of them, and wish them well as they prepare to enter the next stages of their lives.”

The King Philip Regional School District would like to acknowledge all those who helped make the car parade possible: staff of King Philip Regional High School; the many parent and community volunteers who supported the event; Norfolk, Wrentham and Plainville Police and Fire Departments; elementary school districts in Norfolk, Wrentham and Plainville, as well as each town’s Town Managers and staffs; King Philip Sports Boosters, including Krista Anderson, Irene Thompson and Chris Montville; Director of KP Facilities Joey Zahner and his band, the Fathers and Sons Band; and the King Philip Parent Network, including outgoing president Stephanie Waldeck and incoming president Tracey Freese.

“This truly was a KP community event, and one to be very proud of and thankful for,” Principal Mobley said. “We wanted not only to celebrate the Class of 2020 with this parade, but to offer an opportunity for some closure. The end of the 2020 school year was very abrupt for these amazing students. We believe in them and know they are moving on to change the world.”

The King Philip Regional School District hopes to have an outdoor, in-person graduation ceremony for KPHS seniors on Friday, July 24. Details on the event are currently being finalized.