Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, West High faculty gathered (from a distance) on May 18 for Molly Abraham’s celebratory parade. Abraham has been working at West High for 36 years, taking on the job of a special education teacher in 1984. Eighteen years later, she took up the role of assistant principal. Since then she has worked diligently in order to run the school as efficiently and smoothly as possible. 

Because she will be retiring this year, and goodbyes were cut short, the staff threw Abraham a socially distanced parade. Faculty lined up in the back parking lot and, when given the signal, drove out to the front of the building where Abraham was handing out lunches. At the head of the line was a police car, ready to have its sirens and lights going. Over ninety vehicles honked as a “Honk if you love Molly Abraham” sign was displayed and cupcakes were handed out. 

Principal Gregg Shoultz and Vice-Principal Luke DeVries organized this special day with a small committee of teachers. In addition to the parade, they had all teachers change their Zoom profile pictures to a picture of Abraham and created a memory book. 

According to Shoultz, the parade was a replication of what the faculty would have done had social distancing not been required during this time. 

“In addition to being an expert in special education, Ms. Abraham has been the heart of West High for all the time I have worked here. She is practical, empathetic and amazingly competent. We all will be scrambling to get up to speed on all the things she did,” Shoultz said. 

When other teachers were informed of Molly Abraham Day, they were overjoyed with being able to participate in the celebration of someone so special to them. 

“I will miss [her] so very much. Having worked with her for 34 years, I have relied on her to help me work with students, parents [and] the administration, and as a result, I am a better educator,” social studies teacher Gary Neuzil said. “Ms. Abraham has been the true heart and soul for West High School. An individual who was always there for everyone, maintained a sense of balance and perspective and professionalism which made West High School the quality it is for everyone.” 

Abraham herself was overwhelmed with the huge crowd that showed up to the parade, and never expected so many to arrive on a rainy day. 

“I have been so lucky to spend the last 36 years working with such a wonderful group of staff and students and they will all be forever in my heart,” Abraham said.