Seniors honored with lights

About 40 cars filled the Ranger Field parking lot to honk in support of the class of 2020 on April 16 at 8:20 p.m.

The “Be the Light Campaign” was promoted by the Black Hills Conference. Participating schools included Douglas, Spearfish, Belle Fourche, Lead-Deadwood, Sturgis, Rapid City Christian, St. Thomas More, Hill City, Hot Springs and Custer.

Other West River schools participating are the Rapid City Area Schools (RCAS) at Sioux Park, Lemmon, Faith, Newell, Philip and Wall.

Each location’s football field was lit up for a 20-minute period, and community members were asked to drive by and honk in support of students.

An email sent out by Hill City activities director Wade Ginsbach stated, “We do this in honor of our seniors from the class of 2020 and all the participants in extra curricular activities that have been cancelled.”

The email asked participants to “adhere to social distancing protocol and stay in your vehicle at all times.”

While participants could be seen standing, dancing, and even playing catch on top of their cars, social distancing guidelines were followed.

According to Hill City Superintendent of Schools, Blake Gardner, “Mr. Ginsbach, our schools athletic director, took the lead with this project. Of course, Hill City made this event extra special and unique by having the fire department provide extra lights and our patrons spent 20 minutes honking their horns and cheering for the class of 2020. Everyone observed the social distancing guidelines and it was another example of what makes our community so special.”