Thompson seniors parade through city’s schools
Published 12:11 pm Friday, May 3, 2019
By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor
ALABASTER – The soon-to-be graduates of Thompson High School received a heroes’ welcome as they entered the doors of Thomson Middle School for their first stop of the day during the city’s parade of graduates on the morning of May 3.
The TMS band played the school’s fight song to welcome the seniors into the building, while the school’s cheerleaders celebrated their arrival. TMS parents, teachers and students lined the hallways, as many held signs congratulating the students on their upcoming graduation.
The day is usually filled with a range of emotions, as the seniors get to visit with many of the teachers who helped them through the years, and it allows the teachers to see the final product of their hard work.
“When you look at what’s been done, it’s been a family effort. The entire ACS family gets a chance to celebrate the graduation, and what a better way to do that than for them to walk through the halls and encourage our younger students, but to also give hugs and thank yous to the teachers and support staff along the way that made the difference,” said ACS Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers. “My favorite part of today is getting to see the interaction between the former students and their teachers. It’s exciting to see those hugs and tears, because it’s a celebration. I kind of look at this as our senior thank-you tour.”
Wearing their recently acquired caps and gowns, the about 500 upcoming graduates were all smiles as they continued the four-year Alabaster City Schools tradition by visiting TMS, Thompson Intermediate School, Thompson Sixth Grade Center, Creek View Elementary School and Meadow View Elementary School throughout the day.
“The parade of graduates has become an opportunity for us as a school system to take the students back to all the different places that made it happen. We’re graduating this group of students based on the work that’s been done from kindergarten on up, and so we’re excited about that,” Vickers said. “What a super group of seniors. This senior class has really, really been just a wonderful group to work with. I’m very proud of them, and very proud of our other schools for supporting our high school.”