- April 5, 2025
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MHS graduating seniors Amanda Rushton, Michelle Roy, Mercedes Connelly and Jackson Courson walk through an OKES hallway. Photo by Paige Wilson
Matanzas and FPC graduating seniors who formerly attended Old Kings Elementary School pose for a photo after walking the halls to visit students. Photo by Paige Wilson
MHS senior LeAsia Lugo hugs her former second grade teacher from OKES Andrea Johnson. Photo by Paige Wilson
MHS senior Madison Morrow and FPC seniors Kaleigh Freshcorn and Shelby Tatum get ready to walk through another hallway at OKES. Photo by Paige Wilson
OKES students Kurtis Robertson and Sky Bender clap for the graduating seniors walking by. Photo by Paige Wilson
OKES sixth-grader Taylor Bolne high-fives MHS seniors. Photo by Paige Wilson
MHS senior Madison Morrow shows her excitement as OKES students greet the graduating seniors in the hallway. Photo by Paige Wilson
OKES kindergarteners Mika Oshri, Brinklie Bossardet, Jensen Shields and Corbin Merrill hold up a congratulations banner for the visiting graduating seniors. Photo by Paige Wilson
FPC senior Alexandra Rutledge stops to take a photo with her younger sister Lauren Rutledge, who is a student at OKES. Photo by Paige Wilson
MHS graduating senior Amanda Rushton (right) helps Mercedes Connelly put on her cap before they walk the OKES halls. Photo by Paige Wilson
FPC senior Jaelyn Lawrence smiles at the OKES students. Photo by Paige Wilson
OKES students applaud FPC and MHS graduating seniors as they visit their elementary school. Photo by Paige Wilson
MHS senior Patrick Shanahan hugs OKES coach Mike D'Ascheberg. Photo by Paige Wilson
Graduating seniors from Matanzas and Flagler Palm Coast high schools visited their old stomping grounds at Old Kings Elementary School on Monday, May 21, while donning their cap and gowns — hoping to inspire the Owls as future graduates from Flagler County Schools.
After MHS senior LeAsia Lugo finished walking through the same hallways she walked as an elementary school student, she was met with the open arms of teacher Andrea Johnson in the media center.
"She was like a second mother to me, really," Lugo said after the two shared an emotional hug.
Johnson was Lugo's second grade teacher, but their bond has continued with lunch dates to this day.
About 35 other graduates representing the Pirates and Bulldogs high-fived and waved to students down each grade level's hallway at OKES. Many of the OKES students held up congratulatory signs and posters while clapping for the seniors.
"They're probably going to think that we're so old," FPC class president Alexandra Rutledge said. "But they need to think that that's going to be them before they know it, like time goes by so fast. I remember being here like it was yesterday."
MHS senior Julianna Crews said she was excited to show students what they can achieve in the future.
OKES Principal Katherine Crooke said this was the first year the school has coordinated this event. They welcomed seniors from both high schools to visit all the OKES students.
In addition to the OKES trip, seniors visited Wadsworth Elementary and Bunnell Elementary on Friday, May 18. Soon-to-be graduates are also invited to visit Belle Terre Elementary on May 24.
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