BASD recognizes seniors in Be the Light initiative

When the PIAA reached out with an idea, Bellefonte Area School District accepted the challenge – to light up Rogers Stadium in honor of the Class of 2020 in the Be the Light campaign.

The effort, according to Athletic Director Deb Moore, was made in coordination with the Porch Light campaign to support those who have put their lives at risk to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic – health care professionals, first responders, law enforcement, truck drivers, delivery personnel, grocery store workers and more.

Participating schools, including Bellefonte Area, lit up its stadiums and scoreboards at 8:20 p.m. – or 20:20 in 24-hour time – for 20 minutes to honor this year’s seniors. The Red Raiders scoreboard also added the score of 20-20 to honor the class, with fourth down and 19 to go to signify novel coronavirus hopefully nearing its end.

At this time, members of the public were not allowed on school property, but the initiative was streamed live online and community members were encouraged to post photos of their own efforts on social media – by turning on porch lights at 8:20 p.m. and participating in their own at-home rallies.