Helena High Senior Walk 

The Helena High Parade of Graduates is a traditional event where seniors can walk through their middle school, wearing their cap and gown, and see all their previous teachers. This year, the parade route grew, giving seniors the chance to walk through their elementary schools as well.  

Mrs. Murgel is the person in charge of the Senior Walk. “We have been doing the Parade of Graduates Parade since 2016 or 2017,” Mrs. Murgel said. So, the walk has been going on now for about 6 or 7 years, which is incredible. “The majority of our Seniors participate. It is an optional event, but most Seniors are excited to return to a former school to see past teachers and to interact with the younger students,” Mrs. Murgel added.  

Jasper Cook, a senior at Helena High participated in the senior walk and had a memorable time.Cook walked through Jefferson Elementary School. “The best part of the senior elementary school walk was getting to see all the teachers I grew up with,” Cook said. The walk reminds you where your educational career started. “The worst part of the walk was having to remember how fun elementary school was and realizing I am going onto college now,” Cook added. 

Recently, the only class that was unable to do the Parade of Graduates was the 2020 graduates. “Obviously during 2020, we were not able to facilitate a Parade of Graduates walk. Even though we continued school online, all schools in Montana were physically closed due to the pandemic. We were able to revive the event in 2021 and the students were excited,” Mrs. Murgel said.  

“This year was the first year for going to the elementary schools in Helena. It seemed to be a successful event. The faculty and staff at the elementary schools really enjoyed hosting our graduates, so I anticipate the tradition continuing for years to come. The Parade of Graduates event is a great precursor to the graduation ceremony because it creates a lot of positive energy for our Seniors,” Mrs. Murgel said.  

The Senior Walk is an important tradition that gives seniors the chance to remember their younger school days before they graduate.