Special Tribute to Oxford 2020 Graduates
There’s nothing quite like high school graduation, with the pomp, ceremony, and of course, The Prom!
But graduates in 2020 are likely to miss out on much of that pageantry, with COVID-19 social distancing in effect, and where large gatherings of people are prohibited.
That isn’t sitting well with parents in Oxford — and they’ve decided to do something to ensure their kids have the recognition they deserve for graduating.
Shelley Mattinson and Carly Moore have been working over the past few weeks on a banner project. With the support of the Town of Oxford, the community will see the usual summertime Oxford Blueberry banners that hang from Main Street utility poles replaced with personalized “Class of 2020” banners, featuring photos of graduating students.
Mattinson says this has become a huge community event, with folks helping out doing bottle drives, donating cash, and participating in a 50/50 draw.
Mattinson says local individuals, families and businesses have approached her since the project was launched, offering to cover the $5000 cost of producing the banners, which will be on a rigid plastic material in full colour. She says no parent will need to contribute any money — fundraising efforts have met the target.
The banners should be installed by the first of June. On graduation day, they’ll be taken down, and given to the graduates as keepsakes.
Mattinson says each banner will have the name of the sponsor who paid for its printing noted at the bottom, in recognition of their generosity. Some will be businesses, but most will be families and neighbours.
Oxford Mayor Trish Stewart says this is a “fantastic” initiative, noting that “It helps us celebrate the achievements of our grads in a time when its difficult to do so, and will bring a spotlight on our graduating class.”
The Town of Oxford is donating the space on Main Street utility poles where eighteen blueberry banners usually hang, but that’s not enough to cover all twenty-nine graduates.
Local businesses have stepped in, with Buck’s Automotive donating the metal for more, and local metalworker Tim Ellis handling bracket construction. The banners are being printed at a special rate offered by Larry Hunter Design in Springhill.
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