A walk to remember: PHS students return to their roots in senior walk

Published 12:31 pm Monday, May 5, 2025

By Dave Domescik

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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – As they prepare for their next chapter in life, Pelham High School seniors took a nostalgic walk down memory lane at both Pelham Oaks Elementary School and Pelham Ridge Elementary School on Tuesday, April 22.

The senior walk, one of the most storied traditions of Pelham City Schools, saw seniors walk the halls of the elementary schools that they grew up in, getting cheered on by teachers and students alike whilst adorned in their caps and gowns in an emotionally uplifting experience.

Julie Nelson, the senior class sponsor and a science teacher at PHS, outlined the tradition and its logistics.

“The senior walk is an opportunity for seniors to reminisce about their years in Pelham City Schools, to visit with former teachers, coaches and sponsors and to share this special time with siblings and family members who attend or work at our elementary schools,” Nelson said. “Students board buses and head to…their chosen elementary school. As they travel to the schools, seniors put on their cap and gowns for the first official activity in their graduation attire.”

The tradition began in 2014, the year that the Pelham City Schools system was created. Along with visiting the next generation of Pelham students, the seniors also got to reunite with the teachers and staff that nurtured their development during the walk, adding another sentimental touch to the event.

The day also consisted of a luncheon honoring seniors at the Florentine in downtown Birmingham, with James Spann, the chief meteorologist for ABC 33/40, serving as the luncheon’s keynote speaker.

Sabrina Tutchtone, the principal of Pelham High School, outlined why the event is so special.

“It’s just a really cool way to let our seniors go back to their roots and remember where you came from,” Tutchtone said. “The teachers (at Pelham Oaks and Pelham Ridge) love it, especially those that have been there the whole time, to get to hug those kids and see them grown and see (their journeys) come to fruition.”

Tutchtone also added that the event is special for the elementary schoolers greeting the graduates, as they get to see what future leadership looks like at an early age.

“It’s just a tradition that I think is one of our favorites, and the kids absolutely love it,” Tutchtone said.

Nelson echoed the importance of the elementary school students participating in the event.

“They made congratulatory signs and lined the halls for high fives,” Nelson said. “The visit from our seniors in their caps and gowns gives the little ones a vision that one day they will come back and walk the halls in their caps and gowns. It brings the students full circle.”

With a storied career spanning diverse locations in education, Tutchtone noted that events like the senior walk are precisely what makes Pelham special.

“(Pelham) is uniquely different and this (event) is just part of it,” Tutchtone said. “To see the camaraderie of a smaller school system… that we can do this with our kids and with our two elementary schools and only having one high school in our system really makes that special. It’s just a hometown feel… Everybody knows everybody… Part of the culture of Pelham is that it’s just family-friendly.”

For more information on Pelham City Schools, visit Pelhamcityschools.org.

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