Swannanoa Valley set to rally behind Owen seniors
Parade recognizing local graduates set for Saturday
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
June 6, 2020
The Rally in the Valley, a parade honoring Owen High School graduates, will take place at 6 p.m., Saturday, June 6, in the east parking lot of the Swannanoa Ingles. The event, which was organized by members of the community, the Owen High School PTO and sponsored by Ingles Markets, will feature seniors in decorated cars following a route in front of onlookers, as they sit in their vehicles. Fred McCormick
The month of June is traditionally the time of year when families across the country flock to crowded stadiums, gymnasiums and auditoriums to witness the proud final moments of high school for their loved ones, as they stride across the stage to receive their diplomas.
However, as the country enters the era of social distancing in response to COVID-19, graduation ceremonies find themselves among the many traditions deemed unsafe due to the virus. Swannanoa Valley seniors, who began the school year with a goal to celebrate that day in Warhorse Stadium on Saturday, June 6, will not have that opportunity this year. But, that doesn’t mean the community will be unable to honor their collective accomplishment.
Rally in the Valley, a socially distanced parade organized by Chelley Williams, Anika Harper and Savannah Williams (no relation to Chelley), will get underway at 6 p.m. this Saturday. The event, which will feature seniors driving and riding in decorated cars as attendees watch from their vehicles, is sponsored by Ingles Markets and will take place in the east parking lot of the Black Mountain-based grocery store chain’s Swannanoa location (2299 U.S. 70.).
Organizers began planning the event in April, shortly after Savannah launched the “Adopt a Senior 2020! Owen High School” Facebook page. The private group allowed community members to join and choose a senior for which to purchase gifts to show support for the students, as their final days of school were canceled. The group, which Chelley and Harper soon joined as administrators, amassed hundreds of members within days of being launched and all participating seniors were “adopted” within weeks.
Realizing the outpouring of support from the local community for the senior class, the trio began exploring ways to organize an event that could bring the Valley together to recognize the graduates. In partnership with the Owen High School Parent Teacher Organization and Ingles, Harper and Chelley announced plans for Rally in the Valley in a Facebook Live stream on May 26.
“I’ve worked really hard to try to get people to OK this,” an emotional Chelley said while making the announcement. “Graduation class, you’re going to get a graduation, and even though it might not be exactly what you wanted, we hope that you’ll love it as much as we will.”
Seniors are asked to arrive at the parking lot of Swannanoa First Baptist Church no later than 5:45 p.m. Those unable to decorate their vehicles at home can come at 4 p.m. and do so at the church.
Savannah, Chelley, Harper and a team of volunteers will direct attendees to park along the route of the parade, where they will be instructed to remain in their vehicles throughout. The names of seniors will be announced as they make their way through the procession, which will conclude at the Victory Lane Photo Booth where Ingles has arranged for a professional photographer to take pictures of each senior, free of charge. The company will also provide each senior with individually wrapped cookie cakes to mark the occasion.
“We are incredibly grateful to Ingles for helping to make this a reality for these seniors,” Chelley said in an interview. “This wouldn’t have been possible without them. We also want to thank the Swannanoa Fire Department, First Baptist Church of Swannanoa and all of the volunteers for helping find a way to recognize and celebrate these seniors during this difficult time.”
Graduates, who were recognized in a virtual ceremony on June 5, can pick up their diplomas at the Owen campus prior to the parade. They are encouraged to wear caps and gowns along to the Rally in the Valley.
“We know this parade won’t replace the graduation ceremony that these students deserve,” Chelley said. “But, we wanted to show these seniors that the Swannanoa Valley is behind them and supports them and recognizes all of the work they’ve done to get to this point.”