Around this time of year, Unity Church typically recognizes its graduates during a worship service and in a celebration afterward.
The seniors wear their cap and gown, receive scholarships, and have an opportunity to discuss their aspirations.
Because of the Coronavirus, that didn’t happen this year.
In its place, the Woodbridge-based church decided to honor the students by hosting a car parade on Saturday.
“Since the pandemic, we’ve wanted to still celebrate them because they had to forego a lot of activities that normally high school seniors would be involved with,” said Evangelist Lillian Williams, the wife of Unity Church Pastor and Founder Apostle Nelson Williams.
The event kicked off with a Senior Recognition Ceremony.
Each of the eight graduates received words of encouragement as well as purple and gold chords that are based on the church’s colors.
Following the ceremony, members of Unity Church participated in a car parade, where they congratulated them and dropped off gifts.
According to Nelson Williams, the event encouraged the graduates to focus on the special time instead of what they missed.
“I think that because of the uniqueness of the event that they actually felt that they gained something, because they had been given something that they never thought they would, especially when … a good part of our congregation came together and came out to drive by, especially just to salute and celebrate and love on them,” Nelson Williams added.
Here are the students who were recognized:
- Alexis Bailey – West Springfield High School in West Springfield
- Jada Benning – Hayfield Secondary High School in Alexandria
- Chelsea Brown – Brooke Point High School in Stafford
- Kaloni Jackson – Freedom High School in Woodbridge
- David Morris – South County High School in Lorton
- Othoniel Sinclair – Lab School of Washington in Washington, D.C.
- Alleyah Thomas – Colonial Forge High School in Stafford
- Egypt Upperman – H .D. Woodson Senior High School in Washington, D.C.
Photo courtesy of Unity Church
