Albuquerque Public Schools
Sentimental Journey for Highland Grads
Annual ‘Grad Walk’ provides inspiration for younger students and emotional reunions for seniors and former teachers.
Loud cheers greeted Highland High graduates on Monday as they walked the halls of nearby elementary and middle schools in their white caps and gowns, greeting students.
It was an opportunity for graduates to visit schools they previously attended and to see former teachers who nurtured them and who helped them along the way.
But the annual tradition is so much more. For students at the elementary and middle schools they visited, it’s a powerful example of what success looks like and of what they’re working toward.
Roughly half of Highland High’s graduating class took part in the ritual, visiting seven elementary and three middle schools in about five hours. Several APS high schools have similar traditions.
“It’s exciting to see them back at their feeder schools,” said Highland Assistant Principal Deanna Barela, who joined Principal Alfonso Otero in accompanying the graduates. “This is all volunteer. They don’t have to do this. They just do it because they love it. We’ve seen some tears shed today.”
Highland graduates get their diplomas at a ceremony on Thursday.