'Adopt a Senior' program brings joy to Springdale 12th-graders

An ordinary Monday turned into a day of special recognition for Springdale High School seniors who were taken by surprise when they received gift packages as part of a first-year program called “Adopt a Senior.”

The warm-hearted trinkets in the gift packages reflected what teachers, staff and coaches had learned about each of the seniors and were intended to let the students know their perseverance in a year filled with disappointment created by the covid-19 pandemic was appreciated.

“It was a tough year for them,” said Springdale chemistry teacher Nicole Tryon, who helped come up with the idea for the “Adopt a Senior” program.

“They’re very upset about it. They’re sad. They ended their junior year without a prom and without the end-of-the-year festivities that we usually have. And they started the year without anything either,” Tryon said. “Everybody — teachers, secretaries, the administration — was happy to donate to the students because they’re more like our family than they are just students.”

As their names were announced and they made their way to the stage, the students passed yard signs that read “Congratulations Class of 2021” and had their names listed individually underneath.

“It’s pretty cool considering we missed out on a lot of stuff this year,” Bryson Andrews, 17, of Springdale said as he sifted through a basket of protein bars, Gatorade bottles and Nike athletic socks.

“It’s a nice thing they did,” added Andrews, a soccer player for the Dynamos who plans to continue playing the sport at Thiel College in Greenville, where he will pursue a major in data analytics.

Madalyn Byrnes, 18, of Springdale received notebooks, picture frames, sunglasses, snacks and a water bottle for her dorm room when she attends Robert Morris University, where she plans to major in public relations.

“I think it’s really sweet and generous, and it’s so nice that they would consider us during these hard times,” said Byrnes. “I‘m very appreciative of it.”

Alexis Arce, 18, of Springdale was touched that her family consumer science teacher Melissa Leger was so thoughtful.

“She noticed that I always brought an aluminum cup with me to class and that I like peanut M&Ms. It feels amazing that they did this,” said Arce, who plans to major in nuclear medicine technology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Megan Michaels, 18, of Springdale was given candles, a mug, chocolate, Swedish Fish and ChapStick.

“It feels like we’re more appreciated because we had a tough year. It’s nice to get the recognition, and it makes you feel good about yourself,” said Michaels, who is enrolling in West Virginia University’s design studies program.

Springdale Principal Andy Leviski said it felt good to be able to do something nice for the seniors as they move toward their commencement ceremony May 28.

“I think this is the epitome of what a small school can do for its kids,” Leviski said. “Our teachers and staff had a part in making this happen and really showing how much our kids mean to our school community, and that’s what makes it special.”

Tryon, the chemistry teacher, hopes staff and faculty will be able to do something like this for seniors every year from now on.

“We’ve always had close relationships with our students. Coming from a small district, you do get to know a lot about your students and their families,” Tryon said. “They seem excited, which is good. I mean, how could you not? You’re getting gifts, right?”