Thousands of Webster high school students, their families and friends braved the cloudy, cool weather Sunday night at the Senior Luminary Walk, held at the Webster Recreation Center.
This annual event, sponsored by the Webster Thomas PTSA, Webster Schroeder PTSA and Webster Teachers’ Association (WTA), celebrates our graduating seniors with hundreds of luminaries, white bags with candles inside, placed along the entire length of the Chiyoda Trail, which almost completely encircles the Recreation Center property on Chiyoda Drive. Earlier in the day, 30 volunteers worked for an hour and a half to distribute more than 600 of the twinkling bags, each one labeled with the name of a graduating Webster Thomas, Webster Schroeder, GOAL or OWL student.
At the beginning of the trail, students and their family members were greeted by inspirational messages chalked on the sidewalk, and the Webster Schroeder and Thomas mascots (available for photo ops) before they strolled along the almost mile-long trail. One family after another would pause periodically near one of the bags, as proud parents snapped photos of their seniors. Halfway along the path, Webster Thomas English teacher Tammy Abbe cheered at the top of her lungs for each student as they passed, and handed out noisemakers to make it all even more fun.
As the students returned to the Rec Center at the end of the walk, each was handed a lawn sign to display at their home — prompting even more proud-parent photos.
This is the fifth year the PTSAs and WTA have held the Senior Luminary Walk. It began back in 2021, when we were still hip-deep in the pandemic, and special events were being cancelled one after the other. The organizations wanted to do something to make sure our seniors felt special and celebrated for their achievements. The Luminary Walk was perfect; a creative, socially-distanced way to honor them. It was expected to be a one-time event. But it proved to be so successful, it’s come back every year since.
Stacie Peters, Webster Schroeder/GOAL PTSA chair, added these thoughts:
Many families stated last night this was their 2nd child they were at the walk for and it’s one of their fav senior events. We also love how it pulls both schools together with many families knowing each other through sports, music, etc.
We are so grateful to art teachers Jack Golden from Schroeder and Todd Stahl from Thomas who designed the yard signs this year. They did a fantastic job! Dr. Benz (Schroeder principal), Glenn Widor (Thomas principal), Rebecca Saiff (GOAL Admin) & Ari Halaris (OWL Admin) were all there handing out the yard signs. We are so thankful for their support in partnering with us on this memorable event!
We are so grateful to WTA who also partnered with us, and helped us get the labels, bags completed plus student volunteers. A special shout out to Denise Warren, Linda Law, Craig Johnson, Stephanie O’Connor and Chris Wojtas. The secretaries at the Schroeder and Thomas offices are also amazing in making sure we have every student covered. We are thankful to our athletic directors Shawn Strege and Steve LaMonica for making sure the mascots are at the event as well! The students love having their pictures taken with the Warrior and Titan!
This event would not be possible for our hardworking PTSA volunteers. It is a labor of love to open bags, fill each one with sand, add a luminary candle and then place it on the trail. We definitely get our steps in during set up and take down! We also have volunteers who set up twinkling lights along the trail and chalk the sidewalk. A special shout out to lead Schroeder parents Laura Madison, Gloria Santoli and lead Thomas parents Shanna LaDelpha and Katie McCarthy.
Mr. Snowy is always a fun treat and enjoyed by all. We probably had over 2,000 people at the event. Webster Parks & Rec director Chris Bilow is always so wonderful in allowing us to utilize the trail, letting us borrow tables and putting on overhead lights as it gets dark.
Congratulations to all the graduating seniors and good luck in the years ahead!
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(posted 5/20/2025)
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