“Pomp and Circumstance” is blasting through speakers; little faces cheer in admiration as peculiarly large giants march down the hallways of their school.
Just who are these people and what on earth are they doing? They are none other than the class of 2026 filling their turn of keeping the new tradition of graduates visiting their old schools alive.
As closing time begins to approach seniors, on May 26 they are welcomed to walk back in time to the place their Dallastown careers started, the intermediate and elementary schools.
In 2024, after high school principal Dr. Misty Wilson received many requests to visit old teachers, she got together with Dr. Stephanie Ferree, administration, and the senior class to work together to create a new tradition. One where every senior was given the chance to revisit their old schools.
“I love being able to provide this opportunity to students and teachers, my heart warms watching them share tears and memories. It’s the perfect kick off of the DAHS graduation celebration,” Wilson said.
Since then, the meticulous planning begins in January each year so that Wilson and Ferree can coordinate with the principals at each individual school on the date and time frame for the day.
After a date is set, starting in March, the senior class officers and advisors send out an RSVP for students that is used to notify the schools who to make signs for along with attendance and transportation purposes.
Students who did not attend an elementary school here at Dallastown, are still welcomed to attend, bu simply providing the elementary school they would’ve attended.
The day starts off by having students, dressed in their graduation attire, transported to their first destination, intermediate school.
Seniors will then begin their walk in the yellow wing. Waiting for them, is a hallway lined with fourth, fifth, and sixth graders and former teachers, holding signs to celebrate.
“We LOVE this new tradition, it’s great to see them. We feel so proud of them, and the Intermediate students just love admiring their accomplishment,” intermediate school teacher, Justine Kloske said.
Being able to walk the halls of the school that played such a part in shaping students and forming lifelong friendships is an extremely rewarding experience for graduates.
After completing the intermediate school walk at the cafeteria exit, students split up and board the bus to head to the place that built their educational foundation, the elementary school.
Riding over with the kids you spent the first four years of your education learning with is a bittersweet experience for all seniors. It gives them a chance to re-connect and reminisce on old memories.
Upon arrival, seniors are lined up once again and take a walk through the hallways with the youngest of Dallastown students cheering and congratulating seniors on completing a 12-year journey. A journey they are just beginning.
“Seeing them return, and walking the halls with such pride and confidence, reminds me that the small moments in elementary school truly matter and stay with them. Those visits are a reminder that relationships and early experiences leave a lasting impact far beyond our classroom walls,” Leaders Heights Elementary teacher, Whitney Bellomo said.
This graduation walk is not just for graduates; it’s a chance for everyone who played a role in educating the graduates to reflect on their work and see the importance in what they do.
And for Dallastown as a whole, it’s the beginning of what we hope to be a long-standing tradition that unite all the schools.
