We are going to need volunteers to meet at Barron Park on Saturday, May 16th @ 9am to put the stakes in the signs, and then take them to the route provided by DOT and place them. Please post here if you are available to help,” posted Tina Lappas in the Facebook group named LaBelle High School Class of 2020 Senior Signs. 

Tina Lappas is the woman behind a project where yard signs were made to honor LaBelle High School’s graduating class of 2020. The signs feature the senior’s name, and where possible, their photo. These signs will be placed, “starting at Martin Luther King Blvd, heading east, and turn down 29S by McDonalds, all the way down to Winn Dixie” said Lappas. The signs are heavy corrugated plastic, measuring 24” wide and 18” tall, with a step-in stake. Lappas is hoping to have volunteers to come help, as there are 286 graduating seniors this year. That’s a lot of signs.

When she first began organizing the project, she started by posting in the Facebook group, “Show your pride to the Class of 2020 and your graduating Seniors! The COVID-19 pandemic has stolen so much from this year’s senior class. Let’s celebrate and show support for the graduating class of 2020 by displaying these yard signs.” Lappas went on to say, “Lets show the graduating class of 2020 that they have not been forgotten. We are thinking about them. We are here for them and we care! Let’s let them know to Keep their head up. This year may not be what they have envisioned, but we are proud of them and all their hard work!”

Adam Herrera, of Photography By Aplus volunteered his time and photography skills for any seniors who did not have their photos available for the yard signs. Lappas wrote, “Adam gave us a good discount on the signs, which gave us a total of $1649 left from sponsors which will be turned over to the LaBelle High School this week for whatever else they have planned for the class of 2020. A huge shout out to all of the sponsors who got your money in to make this happen!! None of this could have been done without this great community.”

Aside from the quest to recruit volunteers for sign assembly and placement, plans to organize the LHS seniors, and have them drive through town along the same route where their signs will be posted, are also being discussed. 

Tasha Tyree added a post in the Facebook group, that said, “Ok Everyone Where Is All My Seniors At Lets Do A Ride Through The Town May 16, 2020 At 7pm Instant May 15 That Way We Can Put The Sign Up Through The Town