Students, teachers, and families attended the Fall Car Parade at Mt. SAC ECA, on October 29th, in order to connect with their teachers and collect awards for their impressive grades.

“Our staff really wanted to create an event where they could connect with their students!” said Ms. Wilcox, history teacher and organizer of the event. “We really have not been able to see our students in person, so we wanted to create an opportunity for that to happen!”

Students and their families drove cars up to a balloon arch where Ms. Bell took their photos and Mr. Janadi handed them a bag full of goodies.

All of the staff members were dressed as puns with a competition for students to guess what they were dressed as, the prize being new spiritwear. Ms. Yao and Ms. Wilcox sold the spiritwear which was designed by Everett (Vivianne) Alquicira, after which Ms. Leuthold and Ms. Maggiore gave awards for high grades from last year.

“I chose to come to the Parade to get into the fall spirit by seeing all the great costumes, as well as receive my academic award,” said Jordan Alvarado.

Even though students could not exit from their cars, being able to wave at, talk to, and see their teachers in person was a great experience in the middle of the pandemic.

“Doing school from home is sometimes hard and we need a day to socialize, to be a MECA student,” said Gloria Amador, a student at MECA, who attended with her family.

Cars at one point were wrapped around the corner of Hollenbeck, to the teacher’s delight, and there was even a competition for who could decorate their car the best for the season.

Even in their cars, both staff and students were thrilled to be able to see one another.

“My favorite part was getting to see some of my students actually DRIVING!” Ms. Wilcox admitted. “I won’t name any names, but it was so crazy to see that they’re growing up and getting the privilege to drive!”

In order to be able to have the event, Ms. Leuthold and Ms. Wilcox had to get approval from both the WC Unified School Board and the LA Department of Health in order to make sure the event was as safe as possible for students, their families, and staff.

The school and ASB team hopes to be able to put on some more socially responsible and safe events like the Fall Car Parade in the future.