By Carol Mowdy Bond
Contributing Writer
The COVID-19 pandemic destroyed all of the 2020 traditional graduation plans and festivities for graduates of Yukon High School, 1777 S. Yukon Parkway. But the community refused to be defeated.
As a result, parents of seniors and members of the community rallied their resources, funds, and time, and the Yukon High School Senior Parade 2020 took place on Saturday afternoon, May 16, beginning at 3 p.m. Despite gray skies and periodic sprinkles of rain, 337 seniors and about 130 cars were part of the parade, which was not school or district sponsored or funded.
Innumerable well wishers lined the streets with signs, banners, and balloons.
The parade organizer, and owner of Card My Yard, Amy Barton says, “My senior daughter, Ivy Barton, and her friends wanted a senior parade. They have missed out on so much, and deserved to celebrate and be honored in a special way. I wanted to make this happen for them. So, I took it in my own hands, and applied for a permit. I contacted the Yukon Police Department’s Maj. John Brown, the City of Yukon’s Arnold Adams, and the Yukon Fire Department’s Chief Shawn Vogt. All of them were so excited, and wanted to participate as well! We have an amazing group of volunteers. Some are senior parents. Others have no connection, but wanted to help with the day! All our sponsors have donated their time and services for free for all 2020 Seniors!”
Barton used social media to organize the parade and post updates. She also found sponsors and volunteers, and says, “Stephanie Dawn Photography, 11308 Southwest 5th Street, took free photos of seniors with their vehicles before the parade began. She uploaded them to her website for the seniors to download at no cost at: https://stephaniedawnphotog.mypixieset.com/. As well, David B Photography, 11420 Northwest 121st Place, helped with photos: http://www.davidbphotography.com/”
Both Adam Black and Andy Wolmack helped with Jeeps, says Barton. They “loaned us five jeeps from Westpointe Chrysler Jeep Dodge, 11001 West Reno Avenue, for the parade.”
The Yukon Police Department led the parade and provided escort cars. Starting in the high school parking lot, seniors drove their cars north on Yukon Parkway, then west on Main Street, then south on Garth Brooks Boulevard, then east on Vandament, and then back to the point of origin.
