Celebrating Hoquiam High School seniors, pandemic-style

Anonymous donor pays for each graduating senior’s banner

By Dan Hammock • May 4, 2020 3:30 pm

The Hoquiam School District, like all school districts across the state, is facing the challenge of just how to properly honor its graduating seniors at a time when a large social gatherings — such as the traditional commencement ceremonies enjoyed for decades — are not allowed.

The plan for the 123 graduates of the Hoquiam High School Class of 2020 was for each student to get a banner to be hung in a highly visible public spot. Monday, those 123 banners were laid out on the covered picnic table at Art Pocklington Central Play Park, and seniors and their immediate families, with the help of volunteers, hung those banners on the fence surrounding the park.

Longtime resident Rick Strom created a donations page to offset the cost of the banners, which run $30 apiece. Overnight, he had two donations; the following day he got a phone call. The caller, who wanted to remain anonymous, asked about the number of graduates and the cost per banner. Strom told the caller, who the next day delivered a check for the nearly $3,700 needed for every senior to have his or her own banner.

Local photographer Pamela Pelan took pictures of the graduates, some with masks on, some with masks down. One student, Kaleb Tarnowski, also took pictures alongside his black Jeep, decorated with Hoquiam High School colors.

During his report to the City Council April 27, Hoquiam Mayor Ben Winkelman said the district had told him Art Pocklington Central Play Field, closed like all city parks, would be the location for the banners. Winkelman told the council the school district had worked out the plan with the city that would include social distancing and other safety precautions while giving seniors and their families an opportunity to celebrate their achievements.

Also Monday, Hoquiam High seniors picked up their caps and gowns outside the high school gym, again practicing social distancing as the items were distributed drive-through style.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP The 123 graduating Hoquiam High School seniors are honored with banners, paid for by an anonymous local donor. Monday volunteers were handing out the banners and seniors were able to pose for photos at Art Pocklington Central Play Park.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Hoquiam High School Class of 2020 honor graduate Kaleb Tarnowski poses with his banner at Art Pocklington Central Play Park Monday morning.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP An anonymous donor paid for 123 banners honoring Hoquiam High School’s Class of 2020. Seniors practiced social distancing and posed for photos with their banners at Art Pocklington Central Play Park Monday.