Four Kealakehe High School graduates got to walk the line Wednesday … down the ice cream aisle at the Kailua-Kona Safeway.
Four Kealakehe High School graduates got to walk the line Wednesday … down the ice cream aisle at the Kailua-Kona Safeway.
Pomp and Circumstance replaced supermarket music as each Safeway ohana graduate, dressed in cap and gown, walked down the balloon-decorated aisle receiving lei and well-wishes from fellow employees. At the end of the walk, store manager John Perillo handed them their diploma.
“It’s been a difficult time,” said Perillo. “We wanted to recognize them for their hard work and dedication. They are model students and model employees.”
The celebration was the brainchild of floral manager Ganet Covington who wanted to celebrate the employees and children of employees who graduated this year.
“They missed out. We needed to do this for graduation,” she said.
Perillo said the employees are like family, a sentiment to which the graduates heartily agreed.
“It was pretty nice of them to do,” said graduate Ocean Serion. “They are like my second family.”
After the ceremony, the graduates were treated to a bountiful lunch in the breakroom.
“They have been troopers through it all,” said Perillo. “They are really overall great kids.”
