TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) — The congregation at Killearn United Methodist Church celebrated their high school 12th grade graduating members, Sunday afternoon, with a drive thru graduation ceremony.
Members of the church decorated their cars with balloons and signs congratulating the class of 2020. Some members threw out beads and handed gifts to the high school graduates.
Johnathan Lefler, the student ministries director at Killearn United Methodist, said he wanted to do something special for the graduates impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.
"We kind of felt like we needed to do something," explained Lefler. "And so, I gave a question out to the parents to see if they would be interested and they all responded saying yeah that would be awesome. So, we said let's just do a drive by parade where the whole congregation and the neighborhood or anybody else who wants to come out can wave and celebrate and just honor them."
Jeff Willcox, a senior at Chiles High School, said the congregation coming together for him and other high school seniors is very important. "Sometimes the church, it's like the older people run it but they see and come down to you, and they love on us even though we're all going through this together."
A few miles away, high school seniors of Centerville Trace Neighborhood were given a graduation parade families while being escorted by a sheriffs deputy.
Lisa Medcalf, a mother of a Lincoln High graduate said, "This neighborhood represents several different high schools across Leon County. And we were all very disappointed that we could not have a traditional graduation that we all dream about."
Instead, 12th graders loaded up in vehicles and boats to drive around a neighborhood full of supporting neighbors.
Elizabeth Medcalf, a senior at Lincoln explained, "I've been really looking forward to walking across the stage and such. That was kind of a big deal for me. But, I'm really grateful that so many people obviously care."
Maverick Gunn, a senior at Florida High added, "It's pretty cool. The community is helping out a lot. I've never experienced anything like this, or seen anything like this. I think it's pretty cool."
