Jul 01, 2020

USD 475 unveils JCHS Senior Class member banners

Posted Jul 01, 2020 8:40 PM
banners two.jpg
banners two.jpg

By Sacha Dent

USD 475

When schools across Kansas were closed in March of this year, it also meant that a lot of important activities would also be canceled. This included the cancellation of graduation and prom.

One group of citizens wanted to help to make sure this year’s graduating class would still feel recognized by the community, so they formed Onward Blue Jays.

Onward Blue Jays worked to raise money from the public for a special project. They wanted to make banners for the graduating seniors at JCHS. They spent weeks raising funds for the project from many sources.

They also reached out to different outlets to try to get the word out to seniors about the banners, and acquire permission to make one for each graduate. They spent many hours collecting donations, permission, and pictures for the students.

Six volunteers have spent over 8 hours at JCHS to hang banners for more than 230 graduates of the Class of 2020. The banners line the fence of the football stadium, and run almost the entire length of the main parking lot at JCHS.

The volunteers and group wish to remain anonymous. They want the seniors to know that their community supports them, and their accomplishments have not gone unrecognized.

The banners will remain hanging on the fence until after the 4th of July. Graduates and families will be notified when they can come and retrieve the their banner. In the mean time, everyone is encouraged to stop by the high school and see the banners for themselves.

Onward Blue Jays did release the following statement:

“Onward Blue Jays! is excited to announce that the banners honoring the Junction City High School 2020 Seniors have been hung for display along the south side of Al Simpler Stadium.  Banners will be available for viewing until after the 4th of July. 

A big thank you to all who contributed to make this project successful.  Special thanks goes to the staff at Junction City High School for their cooperation in this project that was not affiliated with USD #475.  Additional thanks to Margie Pinaire, Kendall Schoenrock and the printing company of LKS Imagine – Lawrence Kansas for their part in getting the banners printed.  LKS Imagine is owned by 1994 Junction City High School graduates, Richard and Lynley Budinas Holman. 

Please drive through the High School parking lot to view the banners and join us in our congratulations to the 2020 graduating seniors.”