By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

Clad in their graduation caps and gowns, members of Shelby County High School’s class of 2016 gave students in three nearby elementary schools an up-close glimpse of what academic success looks like.

In the first SCHS Senior Walk on May 19, 12th graders walked the halls of Wilsonville, Shelby and Elvin Hill elementary schools, greeting hundreds of children lining the hallways to see and cheer for them.

At Wilsonville Elementary School, kindergartener Lexi Holmes was one of several students holding a welcome banner as they watched their older siblings take one of their final walks as high school students.

Kisha Bean, Holmes’ mother, also came to WES to watch her son, Tyler Holmes, in the senior walk.

“You blink and they’re already graduating,” Bean said. “It seems like he should be in kindergarten.”

WES Principal Maria Tidmore said her school is planning to hold a Reflection Day for fifth-graders and their parents, and model it after the senior walk.

“It was absolutely phenomenal,” Tidmore said. “The children loved it, and the students loved it.”

SES Principal Stacy Aderholt called the senior walk a “brilliant” idea for seniors and children to experience.

Before the seniors left the SES campus, Aderholt thanked them for visiting and wished them well after graduation.

“Those kids light up when they see those students and what they can accomplish,” Aderholt said. “It means a lot to our kids.”

At EHES, the last stop of the day, children chanted “let’s go seniors” as the SCHS students filed into the hallway.

“We are so proud that the seniors were able to walk through,” EHES Principal Betsy Smith said. “They’re wonderful role models for our students, and hopefully, this will set the goal for students to graduate from high school.”