In a heartwarming new annual tradition, seniors from Aubrey Rogers High School and kindergarten students from Veterans Memorial Elementary School gather each year on the football field for a unique and meaningful event that bridges the gap between the youngest and oldest members of their shared school community. The ceremony, dubbed “Pats to PATS,” represents the transfer of spirit, pride, and connection between the two schools that share not just a road, but a mascot as well.
“They are Patriots; we are Patriots, which is why we decided to name it Pats to PATS,” explained Principal Ellen Keegan. “We put it in lower case to signify the little Pats (kindergartners) and uppercase to signify the big PATS (seniors).”
The brainchild of ARH Athletics Coordinator Ted Parsons, Pats to PATS is an informal but emotionally charged ritual where graduating seniors “pass the torch” (or lanyards in this case) to their kindergarten counterparts on the 50-yard line of the ARH football field, symbolizing the journey from kindergarten to senior year.
This year’s event included a unique family connection between brother and sister. Senior Sean Adamczyk will be graduating from ARH this May and heading to Florida State University in the fall. His sister, Maddie, is just beginning her academic adventure at VME as a kindergarten student.
“It’s been amazing just seeing Sean grow through his time here,” said Sean’s mom, Pam Baker, who attended the inaugural event this year. “We’re so proud of him as a senior and are able to show Maddie what he’s accomplished. She was just so excited to come today to see her big brother. They have a special bond, so we’re happy to be a part of that and see it.”
A simple yet powerful moment of connection, community, and tradition, Pats to PATS is sure to inspire the students of both schools for many years to come. The road may be the same, but the journey ahead for each student is just beginning.