The coronavirus has robbed the high school class of 2020 of many milestones. Two Owensboro women are hoping to brighten the end of the school year for seniors by creating Facebook pages that encourage kindness and gift-giving.
Laurie Pruden said she sat and cried when she learned that schools were going to be closed for the rest of the year because she knew how much her daughter, who’s a senior at Apollo High School, was looking forward to prom and graduation.
Pruden said as a parent, she knows how upset and heartbroken the students might be, so she decided to create the “Adopt a Class of 2020 HS Senior! (Owensboro, Ky)” Facebook group to offer support during this time of uncertainty.
“That’s at least one little way that we could kind of give back to the kids around here,” Pruden said. “I thought this would be a little way that we can send some cheers their way and some encouragement in this crazy time that we’re in.”
Parents interested in having their children “adopted” are asked to post photos and write descriptions of their children who are seniors, and indicate they have not been adopted. People can “adopt” the senior and send them a gift either on Amazon Wishlist or using other methods.
Pruden first saw the idea on social media and wanted to make a local option available for Owensboro seniors. She said the group has been well received with more than 500 members since it was created last week.
Brionna Greer also created “Owensboro’s #AdoptASenior2020” with the same goal in mind. This group had more than 1,900 members as of Wednesday.
Greer, a junior at Kentucky State University, said she was inspired to make the page because she too understands how awful the situation may feel for seniors. Greer has a sister who will be graduating from Owensboro High School.
“It makes me feel a little bit better knowing that I can help because it’s sad that they’re getting robbed of their senior year,” Greer said. “The community is going a good job of making sure everyone is adopted. Everyone is trying to pitch in and help however way they can.”
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