Springtime is typically filled with hope, especially for students about to graduate. But for the Class of 2020, uncertainty looms. This year’s seniors have been forced to give up so many experiences they looked forward to — final concert performances, spring sports and activities, prom, senior trips and the list goes on.

Though most of us can identify with the frustration over current COVID-19 circumstances, few of us understand what it’s like to be robbed of what should have been some of the most important moments of a senior year. While we cannot make it right, we can still celebrate the Class of 2020.

On Friday night, the Powell community made one such effort, as hundreds of residents gathered at the Powell High School stadium, staying in their vehicles to maintain social distancing. The stadium lights shined for 20 minutes beginning at 8:20 p.m. — or 20:20 in military time. Drivers honked their horns to show their support for the Class of 2020 as well as medical workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Skyline Cafe’s front windows are decorated to recognize seniors, featuring their photos and highlighting their achievements. Cafe owners hope other local businesses will do the same.

The Class of 2020 also is being honored through banners that will be hung on light poles in the downtown area. Each banner will feature the photo of a Powell High School or Shoshone Learning Center graduate. It’s a way to show seniors that we’re all proud of them. The community is raising money to ensure all 141 seniors are recognized. If you would like to contribute, contact Toby Bonner at 307-754-2221 or toby@powelltribune.com.

Those are just a few of the many creative ways our community has come together in recent weeks, despite not being able to actually gather.

Resilience runs strong here, and the Powell community often finds ways to take care of one another in difficult circumstances. We’re seeing that now more than ever, in ways too numerous than we can list. In the coming weeks, it will be important to continue to look out for each other as it remains uncertain how long the pandemic will last.

We’re also glad leaders at Park County School District No. 1 remain committed to honoring seniors with a graduation ceremony, though it may be postponed.

“I believe those kids deserve to walk across the stage in front of their friends and family,” said Superintendent Jay Curtis. “Whether it’s in May or whether it’s in July, they deserve a ceremony.”

We look forward to the day when we can once again fill an auditorium, stand side-by-side on the sidelines and host large celebrations. But until then, we will do what we can to let the Class of 2020 — as well as others throughout our community — know that we care.