Biloxi High seniors' walk seeks to inspire elementary students

The Biloxi High School class of 2016 high-fived shorter versions of themselves Tuesday.

Soon-to-be-graduating seniors returned to North Bay Elementary School, where they went to school years ago, and paraded through the halls in their graduation caps and gowns.

Students cheered as they walked by. Many put up their hands to give the seniors high fives, which were gladly returned.

Biloxi High School class president Abbie Brashier said the idea, called "Senior Walk," was the result of coordination between school district principals and the Biloxi High School student council.

"It's to encourage the elementary students to do well in school," she said.

It also gave the seniors a chance to reconnect with former teachers.

The moment was especially emotional for senior Joplyn Roberts. Her brother Calvin Kelly is a North Bay student.

"When I saw him I almost cried," she said.

The class of 2016 jumped on buses and visited three elementary schools in total Tuesday. Students paraded through Gorenflo and Popp's Ferry in the morning and North Bay in the afternoon.

Brashier said she'll continue her education at the University of Mississippi where she plans to study public policy.

Roberts said she plans to study psychology at Mississippi State University.

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 10:19 PM with the headline "Biloxi High seniors' walk seeks to inspire elementary students ."