High schools across the country host “20-minute tribute”

PORT ORCHARD, WASH – High school is a time of change. A time where kids turn into young adults and experience, arguably, some of the greatest moments of their life. This year, as we all are well aware, is a lot different.

Deyondre Davis is a senior at South Kitsap High School. He is an All-American, State Champion, school-record holding track athlete. He will compete at the Division I level next spring at the University of Idaho. But, none of that really matters when his senior season was ripped from his grasp.

“I’m not going to be able to go out and compete and represent my school one last time,” Davis said. “It’s more like a…it’s not really exciting…it’s kind of sad.”

South Kitsap, though, is one of many schools across the nation that is performing a tribute to their 2020 senior class. At 20:20 hours, they will turn the lights on at the stadium for 20 minutes.

South Kitsap Athletic Director Eric Canton says it is a small way to make sure the seniors know who is there for them.

“We still care about them, and we want to do something special for them,” Canton said. “They’ve lost the ability to do so many other [really] special things that happen your senior year.”

In a time when a lot feels uncertain, strength in community has become one of the biggest ways for people to show support. Students like Davis, though, seem to still be looking forward to what lies ahead.

“Because I’m missing out this year…I’m going to be [hungrier] to go and perform better [in Idaho],” Davis said.