‘Brought a smile to my face’: Clover student leads project honoring Class of 2020
Cards, flowers and well wishes are bringing joy to Clover High School seniors thanks to the community.
Meg Stepko, a junior at Clover High School, recently started an adopt-a-senior project. Neighbors, friends and family are encouraged to send bits of encouragement to the Class of 2020.
Schools are closed for the rest of the academic year due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Stepko, 17, and her mom Michelle Stepko started a Facebook group where parents of Clover seniors can post photos of their student and a description of their hobbies and things they enjoy, Stepko said. Adopters then choose items and deliver them to the student.
Deliveries are done with social distancing in mind, Stepko said.
“My mom and I came up with the idea ... for our seniors knowing the hardships they are experiencing due to COVID-19. They don’t get the opportunity to enjoy their senior traditions many others have enjoyed,” Stepko wrote in an e-mail to The Herald.
Michelle Stepko also has a daughter who teaches in Clover and a son who is a senior.
More than 2,200 family members, residents, teachers and business owners have joined the group, Stepko said.
Joy Bigger Sanderson, owner of Fast Frog Bakery and Cakes in Lake Wylie has donated gift cards and treats for senior baskets. Sanderson’s son is a 2020 graduate.
“It’s been an amazing community outpouring of love and affection,” she said.
So far, the project has reached 323 students from Clover High School’s graduating class. Stepko said the goal is to reach every senior, about 500 students. The group also recognizes Clover area students who are homeschooled.
“It’s been overwhelming at times, but knowing how much impact I’ve made in the community, to these seniors, I’m so grateful for that,” Stepko said.
Senior Jaden Hunt, 18, said he received his favorite snacks of hot Cheetos and sprite along with gift cards.
“It brought a smile to my face,” Hunt said.
Hunt and his mother Lauren Hunt also sent gifts to a few of his classmates.
“You can’t just take stuff and not give back to other people,” he said.
Lauren said her son picked items for his peers and enjoyed delivering them. She described the project as “heartwarming.”
“It’s been a blessing to be a blessing,” Lauren Hunt said. “It’s been amazing to see the reaction between all of the kids.”
Holly Mull, whose son Shay Mull is a Clover senior, said the project is something parents can do amid a time of uncertainty.
“Right now, times are so crazy and scary. With this virus, you feel kind of helpless,” Mull said. “For me as a mom, (the Facebook page) is something to read, look at that gives you hope.”
Mull adopted multiple seniors and have sent them gifts. She said the project has brought joy to the whole community.
“It’s people like (Meg) that gives us hope for the future,” Mull said.
Shay, who had his graduation ceremony in winter after finishing school a semester early, said the project is lifting spirits. He has received chocolate, gift cards and his favorite snacks.
“It’s a really great opportunity for parents and seniors who are losing their last big chunk of their senior year,” Shay said.
Shay, 18, is enrolled in York Technical College in the lineman program. He is waiting for campus to reopen to finish the course.
“It’s hard to look for a job right now because we can’t give people an exact date when we’re going to be done with class,” he said.
Hunt has a message for his fellow Class of 2020 seniors.
“Stay strong throughout this tough time and keep a smile on your face no matter what,” he said.
Hunt said he is staying positive and looking to the future. He plans to attend York Technical College and major in information technology.
Residents from other parts of York County also are honoring the Class of 2020.
Fort Mill High School senior Spencer Evans started a program to honor his fellow graduates. For the month of May, seniors are encouraged to put a display in their yard celebrating their academic and athletic achievements along with volunteer work, according to the City of Tega Cay website.
“We are excited about being included in this program that one of our own helped create,” reads a statement on the website. “We want you to be creative and make this a celebration about the great things you have accomplished.”
Photos of displays will be shared on the city’s social media pages.
The York school district honored the Class of 2020 by shinning the athletic facility lights at York Comprehensive High School for 20 minutes and 20 seconds at 8:20 p.m. each night for a week, according to a post on the district’s Facebook page.
This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 12:00 AM.
