The grad walk has become an end of the school year tradition in Fountain Hills.
Fountain Hills High School graduating seniors walk around the halls of McDowell Mountain Elementary and Fountain Hills Middle as younger students wave and cheer them on. According to Barrie Pinto, who started the grad walk tradition, it helps younger students visualize their end goal and fosters a culture that encourages everyone to graduate.
“That has such an impact on our young kids to see that and celebrate,” Pinto said. “It’s funny because every year, I did it here and I did it for three years in Arcadia, every year the senior’s grumble. After the first, because in Arcadia we visit several schools, everybody’s in tears and they’re like ‘Mrs. Pinto, we love this.’”
