Dubbed the “Big Blue Blast,” it was a short, blaring symphony of support for soon-to-graduate seniors across the 10,000-student school system.
School district officials promoted it as a uniquely public way of honoring the hundreds of seniors who have been denied a normal last portion of their school year by novel coronavirus (COVID-19) shutdowns of schools.
Hamilton junior Ezra Simmons played the “Big Blue Chant” with his flute in front of his house on Eaton Avenue for his neighbors, Dennis and Patty Mays, and parents, Valerie and John Simmons.
“I think this is a great way to give our seniors a good good-bye and to share school spirit,” said Simmons.
Across Butler and southern Warren County, school officials are trying nontraditional events, programs and public-but-social-distancing activities designed to bolster the morale of high school seniors who due to the coronavirus have missed out on traditional end of the year proms, senior celebration days, sports and academic award banquets.
That was the motivation behind the idea, said Joni Copas, spokeswoman for the Butler County city school system.
“This Big Blue Blast is a celebratory tribute to our Hamilton High School seniors during this unusual and unprecedented time. We commend the band and orchestra students who wanted to salute them as they wind up their senior year,” said Copas.
On Revere Drive in Hamilton, 9th grade marching band member Steven Colwell stepped outside with his horn as the clock struck noon and played for his family, including his grandparents who enjoyed the performance at a safe, social distance.
“This idea is very neat and I think it’s good for the seniors,” said Colwell afterward.
“It means a lot to me because the seniors this year helped me out a lot … just being good role models,” he said.
“I’d rather be in the classroom, so this is something good to do,” said Colwell.
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