The Class of 2020’s unprecedented graduation ended in similar fashion, with Gorham High School’s (GHS) first ever graduation parade. Although the class was split up into multiple ceremonies across two days, the class was all together one last time on the night of June 7.

Families began arriving at the Industrial Park on the edge of town at 7:15 p.m. with the clouds just beginning to glow as the sun touched the treetops. Graduates rose to the occasion with balloons, streamers, and many other decorations.

Messages of congratulations as well as next year’s plans adorned car windows and senior sport photos were taped to the sides of trucks. Some students arrived in convertibles or in Jeeps with the tops off, letting maroon and black balloons dance happily as the convoy began to move.

Led by the Gorham Fire Department, the procession of cars turned left onto Route 25 and began the farewell ride of Gorham’s newest graduates.

The route turned into a slideshow of memories. The first stop being Beal’s Ice Cream where so many of the class have worked or visited on a hot summer’s eve. Supporters, whether family or friends, stood alongside the road to cheer on the graduates. One car that had been stopped by the procession, took light of the situation and got out to join in the celebration.

People held up signs for specific graduates or just a common ‘Congratulations.’ As the cars came closer to the center of town, the magnitude of spectators grew. The sky glowed pink as spectators waved frantically at passing friends as the convoy moved on from Narragansett Elementary and Cumberland Farms.

The very center of town, where the convoy turned left towards the high school, felt like Memorial Day, with crowds of people lining the sidewalks and sirens and horns blessing the night air.

When the cars finally arrived at GHS, students were met by teachers and screamed “hello” and “thanks” from open windows. Gorham Public Works directed cars into the parking lot, forgoing all designated spaces, and placing them in lines facing the football field. The graduates were all getting a little more comfortable when the fireworks started.

Colors representing GHS (silver, maroon, gold, and red) shot into the darkness to tumultuous applause. And when they sounded their finale with an increased tempo, grads returned to their cars and drove away – the last tingles of high school already slipping through their fingers.