NORDONIA, Ohio — There’s no doubt that 2020 has been difficult for students, especially high school seniors. To help add some encouragement and positivity during an uncertain time, Nordonia Schools has created an “Adopt a Knight 2021” program.
Starting Monday, Nordonia Schools will begin matching each one of the 330 seniors of the 2021 class with community members who can offer emotional support once a month from September to May.
Those who choose to adopt seniors are asked to reach out to them with a card and a small gift, sharing encouragement, wisdom, positive vibes and overall support.
Aaron Coleman, who is a teacher at Nordonia High School, said her son who graduated this year was involved in the Adopt a Senior program and saw the impact it had on him, so he decided to be a liaison for the 2021 seniors.
"I can tell you, as a parent coming out of the class of 2020, I mean, my son had a wonderful senior year,” said Coleman. ”And then, you know, he had all those senior year milestones up until March, except those big milestones, prom, graduation, the way that they normally happen, you know, things got very abnormal for a while. So this was a great support to him."
She hopes to pass along the encouragement to the 2021 graduating class.
The goal is to have each senior be adopted by the first week of September. Coleman recognizes that not every parent has Facebook, so organizers of the program are working to make sure no senior is left out.
Starting Monday, the Facebook Page called “Nordonia’s Adopt a Knight 2021” will be live. If you are willing to take a senior, even if you don’t know them, you’re asked to let the school know.
Anyone interested in adopting a senior can contact Coleman directly at aaroncoleman@nordoniaschools.org
