MASSENA – Soon-to-graduate Massena Central High School seniors are being recognized throughout town in a big way.

Banners measuring 2- by 4-feet, each featuring the photo of a senior, are being hung from utility poles by Massena Electric employees.

Massena teacher Beth Reyes, her husband, Ed, and Jenny Herrick, all parents of graduating seniors, came up with the idea. 

“We thought how fabulous it would be to put the banners up through the town,” Beth Reyes said.

“We shared the idea with Mayor Timmy Currier and Nate LaShomb, from the Massena Chamber of Commerce, and began bringing it to life around mid-April.” 

They met with high school principal Sarah Boyce, superintendent Pat Brady, and Lisa Laughman, and started working on ideas. 

“It blossomed from there.  Everyone wants to honor the seniors and all of their hard work,” said Herrick.

About $6,000 was raised in just a few weeks for the project. 

The school’s student-run High School Café donated $2,000. Also making donations were the school’s American Federation of Teachers and CSEA unions, Amvets, Massena Savings and Loan and individual contributions.

Reyes said approximately 170 banners are being made by A & J Embroidery of Massena.

“We wanted to keep the business local. April Holder and her husband have been exceptional to work with. They are going above and beyond, working outside their normal hours,” said Reyes.

Other volunteers jumped in to help. Seamstress Ann Cody, a retired Norwood-Norfolk teacher, is sewing banners back-to-back, so two banners can hang on each utility pole. Her husband, Charlie, is putting in the grommets for hanging the signs. 

Massena Electric Department’s Andrew McMahon was contacted by school representatives to put up the banners. “This is a larger community project than we normally do, but, given the extraordinary circumstances, we wanted to help,” he said.

“The banners are in the process of being put up on Main Street,” said Reyes. They are waiting on an order for more hardware to erect them on the poles. 

"I think it's really awesome to get to see all of our pictures downtown,” said student Hannah Wilson. “We don't get to finish out our senior year together, and it's a great reminder that we are still a class, and we are graduating this year amidst everything going on in the world. All of us seniors really appreciate the time and work that has been put into this project,” 

Other students are also grateful the community is pulling together to make their senior year memorable. 

“They're showing us that we are not forgotten and we're not alone. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you and appreciate everything you've all done to make this happen,” said senior Emmalyn Ellsworth.

Said student Ian Love, "It means a lot to me to have my picture displayed for the town to see. It showcases that, ‘Look, Mom, I did it!’ I think I can speak on behalf of all my classmates that we are thankful for our community." 

Parents are also appreciative.

"It means so much to my son, Ethan, and our family that he and his classmates are being recognized in this special way, said AnneMarie Miller. “This is an amazing project that has brought them all together on Main Street for the whole community to celebrate." 

The project has demonstrated “the true meaning of ‘we are in this together’,” said Amy Ellsworth, whose daughter, Emmalyn, will be among those graduating.

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