Shafter High seniors adopted

As Shafter High seniors faced the end of their high school career without a proper graduation ceremony, the community of Shafter came together to honor those students for the twelve years they have worked to complete the journey.

Cynthia Marquez, a local woman who has been involved in many school and community events, helped head up a special event to honor the seniors.

The event, Adopt-A-Senior, invited community members to adopt a Shafter High senior and treat the student to a basket of gift certificates, cards, sweets and other goodies.

To help adoptive families pick out gifts, Marquez and company posted seniors on Facebook, including the students' names and a little about them such as their favorite foods and interests.

Students were surprised as the baskets were delivered to them. "This event has been so much fun, with the adoptive families brightening up the students' days as they go through this tough time," said Marquez.

Due to its success, Marquez said they are planning to hold it again next year. "We are going to get it planned in advance so the entire senior class will be involved and adopted."

In addition to the Adopt-a-Senior event, students encountered a surprise on Friday when picking up their caps and gowns from the Fox Theater. A Shafter High teacher paid to have the marquee at the Fox Theater updated, congratulating the Shafter High class of 2020.

Despite the challenges of this time, students at Shafter High have been shown that they are appreciated and loved.