Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Two months after their regular school experience unceremoniously ended, Calumet High School seniors pose for a group photo by the Calumet Colosseum before a parade in their honor Friday night.

CALUMET — Calumet High School seniors missed out on the rituals that mark the end of high school. 

Instead, they got one unique to their class.

Students reunited Friday night for a parade through Calumet and Laurium. Parents and community members lined the streets, snapping photos of the graduates and cheering them on as they passed by in cars or pickup trucks. 

“It’s a beautiful day,” said Josh Loukus, whose son, Scott, is a graduating senior. “Great people. Get outside, enjoy the weather, watch the parade and congratulate the graduates.”

Parents organized the parade as a way to show support for the students. 

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Calumet High School seniors ride through Calumet in a parade honoring them Friday.

 “Due to COVID-19, the seniors are not getting to experience all the graduation festivities and experiences as many of us have and it’s important to celebrate their successes,” parent Amy Bennetts said in a statement. 

Debbie Voelker came because she knew some of the graduates. And it was something she would like to see continue in the future. 

“It’s awesome,” she said. “It gives them a chance to be together one last time.”