As the coronavirus outbreak has forced schools to close throughout the United States, one Michigan teen had to find out that she was her graduating class’ valedictorian as she was working at the drive-thru.
Her school’s secondary principal drove by just to let her know the wonderful news.
In a video making the rounds on social media, Michelle Floering, an educator at Grand Traverse Academy in Traverse City, Michigan, showed up at the drive-thru window where high school senior Kaitlyn Watson works. While restaurants have closed their dine-in areas, a lot are still offering drive-thru or takeout options.
The educator says in the clip, “Hey, so I’m at Culver’s where Kaitlyn Watson is working and I’m about to tell her a huge announcement.”
Floering receives her order from another employee and then asks for Watson.
“Hi, Kaitlyn. So, I got you on camera because I want to announce something to you today,” she tells Watson. “You are GTA’s 2020 class valedictorian!”
“I am? Oh my gosh!” the student responds, jumping for joy. “Thank you so much!”
“You’re welcome. And I know we have to stay six feet away so I can’t give you a hug, but congratulations,” Floering says. “Well deserved.”
In the background, one of Watson’s coworkers was heard congratulating her.
Watson’s school shared the heartwarming video on Facebook with the caption: “An extended school break and social distancing did not stop Michelle Floering, Secondary principal, from finding a way to give one of our seniors some exciting news! Congratulations, Kaitlyn!”
Floering also posted on her personal account, “Something to celebrate!! ?”
Because of school closures, teachers have been trying to find creative ways to interact with their pupils. For instance, one North Carolina kindergarten teacher reads books to her students using video conferencing.
“I knew it was really important for kids to still hear me and see me and for me to let them know that things will be okay,” teacher Amy Brantley of Kensington Elementary School said. “I know they’re hearing it from their parents at home, but I think hearing it from the teacher they spend so much time with is important too.”
“It feels really good knowing that they get some part of their normal life back, even if it’s just for a short period of time,” she says. “But for those 25 minutes, I give them some part of their normal life because this is not normal.”
Replaced!