Great Falls High School seniors returned to the 15 elementary schools they once attended as part of the Graduate to Elevate program, a partnership between the United Way of Cascade County and Great Falls Public Schools.
A group of seniors arrived by bus at Sunnyside Elementary School, where their educational journeys began, to thank faculty and inspire a new generation of students.
Justin Robicheau reports - watch the video here:
Senior Teak Pulliam said returning to Sunnyside felt surreal.
"Coming back here all the halls seem way shorter. The roof seems a lot shorter. Coming back can you see in all the places I used to go. Every single day was just crazy to me. It was just insane to think I came back here. And this is where it all began," said Pulliam.
Pulliam said the faculty at Sunnyside Elementary played a major role in shaping who he is today.
For fellow senior Tres Steffenson, the return to Sunnyside carried an added emotional weight.
"Yeah, I did a little bit because my sister's a kindergartner, and so I'm graduating and seeing her. It was weird," said Steffenson.
Steffenson's advice to current Sunnyside students was to cherish the time they have there.