Friday night will be a little bit brighter for the Class of 2020 at area high schools.
Several area schools have decided to participate in the Be The Light initiative, in which schools statewide will illuminate their stadium lights at 8:20 p.m. Friday – 20:20 military time – to honor the graduating class of 2020.
Among the participating area high schools are:
- La Center
- Ridgefield
- Battle Ground
- Prairie
- King’s Way Christian
- Hockinson
- Camas
- Washougal
- Stevenson
But how these schools will be commemorating this event differ from school to school.
Schools like Battle Ground, Prairie, King’s Way Christian and Camas will turn on their lights, but are telling visitors not to come onto school grounds.
“This is not a time for students or others to congregate,” Camas athletic director Rory Oster said, “but a simple symbolic way to honor the Class of 2020. We will be sharing photos on social media.”
Prairie athletic director Jason Castro tweeted Thursday that this “is not an event to attend.”
“Schools are closed, fields are locked,” Castro tweeted. “The lights are to recognize the amazing class of 2020. We love you, but please don’t break quarantine.”
King’s Way Christian said it will be live-streaming its event on its Facebook page and posting picture online.
“Preece Memorial Stadium will be in ‘full dress’ and at attention for our spring sport athletes, along with special guest musicians,” the school posted on its Facebook page. “Please do not drive to the campus. We are still adhering to and recognizing social-distancing mandates.”
Woodland athletic director Paul Huddleston said: “We will be participating and will be promoting on social media. But we (want to) make it clear that the stadium will be closed, and no one is to be congregating on or around the field.”
Other schools are inviting the public to visit schools, but are taking steps to ensure social distancing.
At Hockinson High School, visitors are encouraged to visit the school in their cars, only.
Visitors are to enter school grounds from NE Parkinen Road, follow the signs and exit out the school’s front exit.
“We are not allowing cars to stop or people to stop or get out of their cars,” Hockinson athletic director Joshua Johnson said. “They can loop around and come through as many times as they would like. We will open at 8:15 p.m. and close at 8:45 p.m.”
The Ridgefield School District released a statement saying the lights at the high school stadium, as well as at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Center, would come on at 8:20 p.m. and remain on for 20 minutes and 20 seconds.
“We invite you to join us in recognizing the Class of 2020 by turning on your porch lights at 8:20 p.m.” the statement read. “We also ask all senior families to drive by the stadium and/or RORC and honk your horns, bang pots and pans … to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating senior class.”
La Center athletic director Matt Cooke also asked people not to congregate around the high school stadium.
“We encourage people to drive by and honk in support of our seniors,” Cooke said.
Vancouver and Evergreen schools indicated they will not be participating in Friday’s event out of concern that it could encourage people to not adhere to the governor’s stay-at-home order by congregating at or near school campuses.
UPDATE: Because of “some issues,” Washougal lit up Fishback Stadium on Thursday night, athletic director Gary McGarvie said.
“We want all our seniors to know we miss them, hope they are staying safe, and wish them the best,” McGarvie said. “We also want them to know we are heartbroken that they don’t have these last few months together. But we know, having gone through this will make them stronger.”
