DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF)- Decorated cars drove the block of Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, for a parade to honor graduating seniors.
Seniors from Dallas ISD’s TJHS were dealt a double dose of disappointment this year, the loss of their school to the October tornado and their senior activities due to COVID-19. “I’m definitely grateful for 
all they have done for us… It’s been a hard year
with the tornado destroying our school and now the pandemic but we are happy,” said senior Max Mareno. “This is the first time virtual graduation is taking place, this will be good despite not being the real thing but at least it’s happening,” he said.
TJHS Principal Sandi Massey said they wanted to do something special by holding a drive-through parade. “We decided that we would drive around what we call the ‘TJ Mile’ because the block is so big and it’s so special to be here because we have been out of our campus for 8 months now because of the tornado and it’s been really hard for our seniors to not have TJ during their senior year,” she said.
Around the perimeter of the school, staff set up tents for cars to stop and for students to pick up gifts.
“Some treats like cupcakes and cookies and Fossil do
nated a Fossil watch for every single senior by gender,” said Massey.
Two Dallas entrepreneurs whose company, “Proud of My Grad,” donated custom made yard signs for each student. “We make senior signs for 7,300 high schools across the country and we were looking to make a donation, TJ just jumped out at us, they have been through more than any high school group in the country, it was obvious we wanted to donate signs for every senior in the class,” said Proud of My Grad Co-Founder Jeff Harrington.
At the final stop, graduates turned their tassels, tossed their caps and took commencement photos in the schools parking lot, embracing the new normal.
“I’m super excited about graduating, it’s been a dream of mine since I was a little boy and I’m happy I finally get to achieve it,” said Senior Angel Mejia.