EGHS ‘Senior Walk’: A Tradition in the Making

by | Jun 6, 2019

By Elizabeth F. McNamara

The EGHS Class of 2019 took a walk down memory lane Thursday – literally – when many of them boarded buses at the high school and went back to Cole Middle School and then all four elementary schools, walking the halls to high fives, cheers, hugs and even a few tears.

Frenchtown students.

“Just walking down the halls and all the kids cheering and high fiving – it was a great time!” said senior Peter Anderson after their tour through Eldredge.

The next stop was Frenchtown Elementary for this crew (seniors who attended Meadowbrook and Hanaford went to those schools), where again the halls were lined, this time with even younger students.

Along the way, there were reunions between students and staff, and at the end, the seniors were invited into the gym for a game that was part bowling, part dodgeball.

“This room used to be so much bigger!” said one senior.  

The game organizer was none other than Chris Carr, the longtime phys ed teacher at Frenchtown, who had a distinct perspective on the students.

“I’ve had every one of these kids!” she said with a big smile.

Senior class advisor Krista Harvey, a phys ed teacher at the school, said she got the idea of a senior walk last year from colleague Deb McMullen (who teaches phys ed at Cole). McMullen had seen “grad walk” videos on social media.

Senior Peter Anderson goes for a high five at Frenchtown.

Harvey and fellow senior adviser Erin Woulfe brought the idea to the administration and got the OK.

“After discussing it with all of the building principals we agreed it would be a wonderful new tradition,” said EGHS Principal Mike Podraza via email. “So glad it was able to happen.”

Each of the school visits brought something different but the common theme for the students was nostalgia. 

“The Class of 2019 has been all about nostalgia and this event delivered,” said Harvey.

At Meadowbrook, Harvey said, “the seniors went into lunch and some even sat with kindergarten students. After which they went out to have their one last ‘nostalgic’ recess.”

“It was so much fun and so sweet!,” said senior Lila Zarrella, who participated in the Meadowbrook-Hanaford walks. “It was great to see so many young, smiling faces encouraged and inspired by us as we walked town the halls.”

Seniors talk with Frenchtown Principal (teacher to some of them back in elementary school) in the gym after the Senior Walk.

Future EGHS seniors congratulation the Class of 2019.

Greetings to the seniors from Mrs. Kowal’s class.


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Brian clement
Brian clement
June 7, 2019 12:39 am

Great. Spread this tradition. Reinforces graduation not only possible but worthy of effort great for the little ones, the middle ones, the graduates and the teachers and staff.

Joannie Hinman
Joannie Hinman
June 7, 2019 9:19 am

Memory Lane-what a great idea! Chris Carr is the best 🙂

Sue Campbell
Sue Campbell
June 7, 2019 9:41 am

What a beautiful tradition to start in East Greenwich.

Mark Thompson
Mark Thompson
June 7, 2019 12:10 pm

Cool idea!

Jean Ann Guliano
Jean Ann Guliano
June 7, 2019 12:58 pm

Outstanding! What an amazing idea on so many levels. Yes, the tradition must go on!

Marie Hennedy
Marie Hennedy
June 7, 2019 8:53 pm

A wonderful idea! But what’s with the paper plates on sticks? Looks like the side we didn’t usually see wasn’t white — gold? with a symbol? (No offense, Elizabeth: these photos and video are superb!)

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