More Than 200 Darien Families Feeling Blue Wave Pride on Heels of Adopt-a-DHS Senior Week!

Oh, the Places the Graduates Will Go! 

Darien Elementary and Middle School Students Celebrate the Class of 2020 during “Adopt-a-DHS Senior Week”

Creativity and kindness flowed throughout town this week during the Darien High School Parents Association’s first-ever “Adopt-a-DHS Senior Week.” More than 200 Darien elementary and middle school families eagerly signed up to honor this year’s graduates with messages of congratulations and support. The families, who were randomly matched with a graduate, were asked to drop off a homemade card or sign, a flower from their yard, or a small token to their senior’s mailbox or front porch. The touching tributes, delivered between June 1 and June 5, included beautiful flowers, festive cards, posters featuring original artwork, lots and lots of balloons and other treats! 

“We don’t know who had more fun - the families who created the surprises or the seniors who were thrilled to receive them,” offered Lori Olson, DHSPA co-chair. “We wanted to come up with a way to make the seniors feel special and appreciated, and we were so happy that this program also became a fun, family activity for the younger students.” The DHSPA enlisted the help of the elementary and middle school PTOs to spread the word to their school communities and to bring the Adopt-a-DHS Senior program to life. Senior parents shared their student’s interests via a sign-up link to help make the project even more personal. On Match Day, Tuesday, May 26, local families were randomly paired with DHS seniors and the fun began!

“We received such an enthusiastic response and heartwarming feedback from all participants in this program,” added Joan Kanlian, DHSPA co-chair. The DHSPA would like to extend its thanks to all the families who helped brighten a graduate’s day during Adopt-a-DHS Senior Week.

Selected Quotes + Photos 

General caption for all photos: 

Images from the Darien High School Parents Association’s first-ever Adopt-a-DHS Senior Week

Selected quotes from participants in the first-ever DHSPA Adopt-a-DHS Senior Program:

Senior Families:

“Many thanks again for all you are doing to celebrate our seniors!”

“This is so touching and greatly appreciated!”

“This is truly so lovely. Thank you!!”

“Thank you!  This will be a sweet surprise…”

“This was a very, very kind and much-appreciated gesture…”

Adoptive Families:

“I think this is such a great idea and really exemplifies the sense of community that truly represents who the people are that live and reside in Darien.”

“Such a great way to celebrate during this crazy time.”

“We are so happy to participate in this awesome program!”

“We dropped off a gift today and thought this was a great project. Thanks so much for connecting us with a senior graduate!”

“Thank you for making this a fun week for all involved!”

“Glad we made someone happy. And this makes us happy!”

D
Submitted by Darien, CT

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