The sign above was created to honor MBHS seniors amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Moms honor MBHS seniors with yard signs

The COVID-19 pandemic has denied Mountain Brook High School seniors the spring they have been working toward. Instead of punctuating their high school careers with rites of passage such as honors night and prom, they are passing the days sheltered at home. 

While the school system formulates alternate plans to honor the Class of 2020 amid COVID-19, six moms of MBHS seniors found a tangible way to recognize the soon-to-be graduates. In recent weeks, they created and distributed commemorative Class of 2020 yard signs that are now planted in front of many homes. 

“We think this is a very special senior class,” said Martha Thompson, who helped spearhead the effort. “The sign says, ‘Hey guys, we haven’t forgotten y’all, and we love and appreciate you.’” 

Thompson joined forces with fellow moms Greer Black, Adelaide Vandevelde, Valerie Ramsbacher, Dena Berte, and Laurie Bowers to organize the project. 

They began brainstorming ideas in March when it became apparent the spring semester was not going to unfold as planned. 

“The signs are something that we have seen other campuses do throughout our state and throughout our country,” Thompson said. “But I will say this: Mountain Brook loves a yard sign.” 

The moms sent an email to other parents of seniors notifying them of their intention to order the signs. Most of them took advantage of the opportunity and purchased one for their homes. 

More than 250 signs began appearing in yards last week. 

“When I saw the signs it made me smile,” MBHS Principal Philip Holley said. “I want the senior class to know how much we love them and that we haven’t forgotten about them just because we are not at school together. They are such a special group, and we will miss them when they are gone.” 

While seniors will not be on campus May 1 for college T-shirt day, Thompson said they can take a picture wearing their shirt next to the sign. The plan is to create a compilation of the photos to give to students and their families. 

“I just want to reiterate that we are so appreciative of one, our community, and two, our school system,” Thompson said. “We know they are working tirelessly to make this a senior year — they will definitely not forget it — but one that is still very special to them.” 

​This story is an installment in the Mountain Brook Schools "Good News" series. If you know about good news from the school or Mountain Brook community, please consider emailing your story idea to mbgoodnews@mtnbrook.k12.al.us.