St. Edward High students light up Elgin school with car parade

Students and families of St. Edward Central Catholic High School in Elgin showed their community spirit Friday with a parade of cars honking horns and flashing lights along Elm and Locust streets.

School administrators, faculty and staff members waved to the caravan while socially distanced along the parade route.

"The Friday Night Lights event is an opportunity for our community to come together as a symbol of hope and perseverance in these unprecedented times," said Michelle Kaufman, director of recruitment and marketing. "It is also how we choose to honor our Class of 2020 and commend them for being Green Wave Strong."

The first 150 participants received "Green Wave Strong" car magnets.

The school is closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year due to a statewide stay-at-home order to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Its May 18 commencement ceremony for 80 graduating seniors has been postponed.

"We will continue to follow the established social distancing guidelines as directed," said Brian Tekampe, school principal and superintendent. "If social distancing guidelines change, we will hold an in-person graduation ceremony tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 27."