Westhampton Beach Seniors Honored With 'Hurricane Strong' Signs

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — Westhampton Beach High School seniors received an outpouring of support from the community recently in the shape of signs, in the school's green-and-white colors, bearing the words "Hurricane Strong."

Parents paid tribute to the Westhampton Beach High School Class of 2020 by delivering the lawn signs on April 25.

“These seniors need to know we are proud of all they accomplished, and we haven’t forgotten about an awesome class of kids,” said Stacy Rubio, school board member and parent of a senior who led the initiative. “These seniors need to connect and smile. That is difficult with social distancing and students living in seven different towns.”

After searching social media for ways to honor the Class of 2020, Rubio decided signs would be a great way to make a connection with the seniors. She garnered the support of several local businesses, which chipped in to purchase the signs.

On April 25, 14 teams of parents and seniors decorated their cars and picked up the signs that were separated at socially distanced stations at the high school; they then set out to deliver 224 signs during the next several hours, the district said.

The signs are only the start of plans to honor the Class of 2020. Rubio is also working with the Parent Teacher Organization on a banner initiative in which a banner for every senior will be strung for display along Mill Road. The banners are being made possible through support from Hurricane families, the PTO and district alumni.

“The response and support have been heartwarming, but I had no doubt — because we are Hurricane strong,” Rubio said.