EVERETT — Twelve years ago, Tony Wentworth started his tenure as principal of Whittier Elementary in Everett.
On Thursday, the children who were kindergarteners during his first year as principal came back through the halls as high school graduates.
For Wentworth, it was a little surreal.
“I remember then but I still envision them when they’re five, six years old,” he said. “I can still picture their kindergarten faces.”
Thursday’s event was part of an annual tradition known as a “Grad Walk,” where graduating seniors parade through their former elementary schools to the adoring cheers of young students.
“Give them a high five,” one elementary student said to another as the high schoolers approached.
For the seniors, being back in their old elementary school brought back fond memories.
Silas Wells-Edwards, a graduating Everett High School student, has spent the past couple of months volunteering in Whittier Elementary classrooms before he goes to Western Washington University to study education. He hopes to eventually become a teacher like his mom.
Taking the walk through Whittier was “refreshing,” he said.
“Seeing all the faces of the teachers, the old halls, brings back a lot of memories,” Wells-Edwards said.
About 20 graduating students took part in the Grad Walk, all from Everett High School — apart from one.
Bailey Winter attended Whittier Elementary as a child. She later moved out of the district and graduated from Stanwood High School last week.
Even though she lives out of town, she kept in touch with her old soccer team she met all those years back at Whittier. They’re all still friends to this day.
Before she goes off to Central Washington University to become a music teacher — thanks to inspiration from her former music teacher at Whittier — she had to make the trip to Everett on Thursday to reunite with her elementary soccer team again.
“It was just really sweet to get to see all of them where it all started” Winter said. “… This place is literally the best and has shaped some of the best people in the world.”
Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.
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