Hampton Bays Seniors Are Celebrated in Community Parade Over Ponquogue Bridge

The 2020 graduating class of Hampton Bays High School gathered on Ponquogue Bridge on Monday for a final celebration as a class. Seniors socially distanced in masks and their gowns on the sidewalk of the bridge, while a parade of families and community members drove over the bridge honking and cheering for the class.

This celebration, though bittersweet for many seniors, gave an opportunity for the town to celebrate the graduating class a final time, in lieu of a formal graduation.

“Today was a day to celebrate the kids, for everyone to see them in their gowns since we won’t have a formal ceremony of a commencement,’’ said Keegan Bishop and Brittany Daly, the class of 2020 advisors. “It was a great way for the kids to do something together while still being socially distant and then being able to celebrate graduating, especially during the time that we are in.”

“It brought more people together than it would have at graduation because you have friends and family, but you have extended friends, extended family that got to be there celebrating all of the kids graduating,” Ms. Bishop said.

The parade showed the class of 2020 how much the community supports them. Aside from just family and friends, teachers and members of the fire department drove through as well. A ladder truck was parked at the beginning of the parade route, with an American flag hung in celebration.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how many people showed up,” senior Riley Stotsky said. “It was kind of sad, but in a good way, it brought tears to my eyes at first when I saw the line of cars all the way backed up.”

Many cars were decorated with the school colors or personal messages to graduates, some having balloons, confetti or family members throwing candy for the class to enjoy during the parade. The small, tight-knit community of Hampton Bays showed a tremendous amount of love for their seniors.

“I loved seeing all of the decorated cars, and it was just really heartwarming to see everyone who came out,” said Valedictorian Skye McMorris.

“It was a really nice event, a lot of people from the community came, and even out of town, to support the class,” senior Anna Perlow said. “It was a good first event for us leaving.”

“It was really sweet to see the community members all come out and support us. It was a really nice replacement for a bigger ceremony,” said senior Marissa Kennedy.

“It was very nice, it was nice to have the community come out and support all of the seniors, especially during these times it’s such a nice thing to do for our class.” senior Quinn Smith said.

“I thought it was a great way for the community to see everyone even though we are socially distancing,” senior Alison Pensa said. “I thought it was a great way for us to come together at least one last time, since our other graduation is on a smaller scale.”

The seniors took the opportunity to enjoy a final day with their entire class in the beauty of their town. Many students played music, chatting and dancing during the parade and waving at friends who drove by.

“This is so nice standing over the bridge that we get to have this setting for it, because, like, imagine if we were in a landlocked state, that would be so sad standing on the side of the road,” said senior Gabrielle Caine. “I thought the ambiance was really nice, and the sunset, it was cute.”

The School District was very happy with the event’s success.

“This class has lost so much, and we are hoping that everything that happens this week helps make that right for you guys, because you earned it and you deserve it,” said High School Principal Christopher Richardt.

“It was quite an experience, not that many seniors have a whole bridge to themselves and a whole parade,” said senior Milan Moraga. “It was different.”

“I think this was a great event, making the best out of a situation that is going on in the world right now,” senior Jonathan Salas said. “It was special, it was really memorable.”