These high school seniors got a Miami-style parade, with pots, pans and a celebrity

A boisterous caravan traveled 258 miles across Miami-Dade County Wednesday afternoon to swing by 188 homes and lift the spirits of the Class of 2020 at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy.

More than 40 faculty and staff members in seven teams honked their horns and banged on pots and pans as they cheered on the school’s seniors. Many of the students jumped up and down in delight when they saw their teachers for the first time since school doors closed on March 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are hoping to bring them a little joy today. Our senior class has been the one to take the biggest hit. They are sad that their time together has been unfairly cut short,” said Olga Martinez, the school’s director of admissions, marketing and communications.

Two members of the caravan stopped at one of the homes along the route: Gloria and Emilio Estefan, the great-aunt and great-uncle of graduating senior Lina Luaces. Gloria Estefan is an alumna of Our Lady of Lourdes Academy

“Congratulations to all the graduates! Don’t worry. You will be celebrated. And we’re going to need you out there, using your knowledge and everything you’ve learned,” Estefan shouted through her fabric mask as she used a wooden spatula to bang on the back of a frying pan with a gloved hand.

“I’m sorry you won’t be able to be celebrated the way that you deserve, but we celebrate you in whatever way we can!” she said, cheering. “Class of 2020! Go!”

“Everybody’s in the same boat,” she said. “We’re all just trying to do what we can and we’ll keep doing it. And let’s all pray! Pray for a vaccine. Because that’s what will push the new world order in. And we can start afresh with more knowledge. That’s for sure.”

Standing next to her wearing a blue paper mask and gloves was her husband, Emilio.

“Time changed. Things changed, but you have to keep the spirit for the kids, sending a message of love to them,” he said. “And this will be a special moment. I hope we never have to do this again.”

Said Kamryn Figueras, the school’s student body president, who wore a purple cape and rode along the route in her mom’s convertible to cheer her senior classmates: “We’re just trying to keep up the spirits. If anyone can get through it, it’s our class. So I’m happy we’re doing this caravan. And it’s a great day.”

This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 11:02 AM.