Lauren Loveless | editor in chief
Disappointed that senior year is coming to an unfortunate end, students nationwide are having to find creative ways to celebrate their high school career. However, feeling that seniors should not be alone in this frustration, Lea Le Canu, mother of senior Riley Robinson, has lent in a helpful hand by spreading awareness on social media platforms.
“I was inspired to start the Facebook group not long after prom was first postponed and after the second time that school was pushed back,” Le Canu said. “At that point, I started worrying about your graduation and all of the other events leading up to it. I went through a time where no matter who I spoke with, they didn’t understand what I was going through as a parent and how I felt. The goal was to create a place where other parents felt the same way that I did.”
Now, her original Facebook group dubbed “Class of 2020 Parents” has over 12 thousand members from all 50 states, as well as Germany and Canada. She has also started an additional Facebook group for the parents and teachers of Encino Park elementary seniors, and an Instagram page directed towards seniors.
“As far as the Instagram page, I wanted to do something fun for the Johnson seniors,” Le Canu said. “I wanted you all to have a place where you could share pictures and share memories since you are all missing so much time that you should be having together back at school and at the events you should be having.”
Surprised and grateful for the growth, Le Canu feels connected to the pages and is passionate about supporting the 2020 seniors.
“The pages have become a personal mission of mine,” Le Canu said. “I spend a great deal of time on them each day making sure that they are updated and that they contain only positive information and postings. The Johnson Class of 2020 has become very close to my heart as I learn more about them. The pages have both also been a comfort to me as I have met people and made friends throughout the country as well as throughout the Johnson community.”
However, not just on social media, Le Canu is finding other ways to support seniors during the pandemic.
“I have “adopted” seniors to help them feel supported. I currently have adopted one from Reagan and one from Warren High Schools,” Le Canu said. “ I have designed shirts, wristbands and yard signs as well that all say “Senior Strong.” All profits are going to COVID19 efforts. I will be working with other parents to help plan summer events that will help the seniors get some back of what they have lost- for example, working with the dance director on doing a banquet/celebration.”
In relation to long term plans, Le Canu is determined to stay connected with the seniors and keep them connected with each other.
“For the Facebook group, I want to see how these seniors are doing as they move through their college years or through their time in the military,” Le Canu said. “This group will always have something to bond them, just like the seniors themselves. Your class will always be a special one for many reasons. For the Johnson Instagram page, I’d like to have the current seniors post pictures of where they are and what they are doing in order to keep in touch with one another.”
A beacon of light for seniors during their underwhelming senior year, it’s certain that the Facebook and Instagram pages will help keep spirits high.
“I would like for the parents, teachers and students to have a place to go to always stay connected,” Le Canu said. “We want to be able to find some way to give you guys something back. Your teachers and your parents all want for your class to be able to experience much of the same things as previous classes have gotten to do, even if in a different format.”
