WILMINGTON, MA — On Thursday, Wilmington High School senior Brianna Ferreira created a Facebook group — Wilmington Adopt A High School Senior 2020 — with an ambitious goal — matching each of the roughly 300 high school seniors living in town with a different Wilmington resident willing to give their “adopted senior” a gift for graduation.
“Many high school seniors feel as though they are missing out on one of the most exciting years of high school,” wrote Ferreira. “To try and make light of this situation, I’ve come up with a system that I hope will work.”
The gift doesn’t have to be expensive or excessive. There’s no strict giving guidelines.
“There isn’t anything too specific… usually a gift or a gift basket involving some of the senior’s interest. Nothing too big,” says Ferreira. “Just something to brighten up a graduate’s day. It’s really up to you — I’m sure anyone would be grateful to receive some small act of kindness.”
It’s easy to participate in the program.
For graduating seniors who wish to be adopted, either the student or their parents/guardians can fill out THIS FORM. The form asks about interests, delivery preference, and contact information. The form’s answers will then be shared with the senior’s sponsor. Please note this program is for ALL graduating seniors who live in Wilmington, not only Wilmington High School seniors, and includes all Wilmington seniors who attend Shawsheen Tech, Austin Prep, Malden Catholic, Central Catholic, St. John’s Prep, and any other private, vocational and charter schools. Any homeschooled seniors can participate too!
For Wilmington residents who would like to adopt a graduating senior, join the Facebook group and follow the simple instructions in the pinned post. After signifying your interest in adopting a senior, Ferreira will send you a private message with your senior’s name and information.
The gift should be delivered to the senior’s home between June 1 and June 5.
Ferreira noted she was inspired to create the effort after seeing similar ones being undertaken in other communities. She has been overwhelmed by the community’s response in just two days — there are currently more sponsors that participating seniors.
“I want to thank everyone that is participating and taking time out of their days to support the Class of 2020! I think I speak for most of my classmates when I say that we are very, very thankful for those of you who have been adopting a majority of our class!,” wrote Ferreria.
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