Whitehall resident Wendy Fox was on Facebook one evening when she saw other local high schools had reintroduced the Adopt a Senior groups. They were extremely popular across the Lehigh Valley last year. Fox, whose daughter is a senior at Whitehall High School, posted a question on Whitehall, PA Neighborhood’s Facebook page, asking if there had been a page started for WHS, and if not, how to create one.

Parents and community members quickly responded to her post with enthusiasm, remembering the success of last year’s page, and volunteered to help. Kathleen Daboura, Tina Ludwig, Kristen Reidy and Kristen Saylor, also parents of WHS students, jumped at the chance to help by volunteering to become page administrators. Shortly after, the Adopt a Class of 2021 Whitehall High School Senior page was launched.

Fox said since last March, she has seen how much her daughter and her friends have missed out on after their junior year was cut short, and most of their senior year was anything but normal.

“I think these kids need to know that the community is behind them and that we do realize it has been tough, but through it all, they have been awesome!” Fox said.

Fox knew the page for the Class of 2020 was a success and thought the seniors were grateful for having the community step in to make the end of their senior year special. While she wasn’t involved in last year’s group, she knew the biggest challenge had been spreading the word to seniors’ parents.

So far, only 69 seniors out of more than 300 have been nominated and adopted. Though friends, family and community members can adopt seniors more than once, Fox asks that every senior get adopted at least one time. All nominated seniors have been adopted, but there are many more who need to be recognized.

According to Fox, parents who are aware of the group have been very willing to nominate their seniors, and community members who don’t know any students from the senior class have asked the group’s administrators to assist them in finding a student to adopt. She said when a senior is nominated, they are adopted almost immediately.

Fox said “no gift is too small” and lists ideas such as, but not limited to, “favorite snacks, thermoses, gift cards, necklaces” and even blankets from the college they will be attending.

After adopting a senior and choosing a gift, the adopter is asked to make an arrangement with that senior’s parents. If either person feels uncomfortable, an administrator can act as a go-between. Adopters can also remain anonymous if they prefer.

Fox described the past year as being both emotional and stressful for the senior class, as well as for all students, but she feels some positive lessons have come out of it.

“I do think it taught the kids patience, understanding and how to take one day at a time. It made these kids stronger in ways I did not have to be growing up,” she said.

Though Fox said this year has been difficult for everyone, she had a message for this year’s senior class: “Life will throw you curve balls, and you have shown everyone - parents, teachers, friends, the community - that you can overcome anything that gets in your way. Keep your head up high, and reach for your dreams. You are all going to do great things!”