Tyrone’s Adopt-a-Senior Facebook Group began in the spring of 2020 as a way for the community to support high school seniors who were missing out on school, activities, and sports due to the first COVID lockdown.

The page allowed families to post photos of their TAHS seniors and their likes/interests. Members of the group could then “adopt” the seniors and present them with small gifts and/or notes of encouragement and congratulations.

The idea took off in 2020 and became even more popular when it was repeated last year.

But this year, with school back in session and most sports and activities back to near-normal, organizers were faced with the decision of whether or not to continue the group for the Class of 2022.

“We ran a poll last year about continuing or stopping the page and the majority thought it was a great thing and that it should continue,” said site administrator and Tyrone Class of 1986 grad Terri Howell.

Many people said that was one of the few things to come out of the pandemic that was worth keeping.

“It’s starting to become a little tradition. People enjoy seeing children of people we graduated TAHS with graduating,” said Howell.

In 2020 there were 73 seniors adopted in total and 30 won prizes. Last year there were 86, with 50 of them receiving prizes.

So far 37 members of the Class of 2022 have been posted, and all have been adopted.

Howell also runs a similar page that covers Centre County schools, but according to Howell, the Tyrone page is much more active. Some seniors on the Centre County page wait days, or even weeks, to get adopted, whereas on the Tyrone page seniors usually have multiple volunteers within a few hours.

“Tyrone residents and alumni are so amazing. Seniors on here are almost adopted as fast as they appear and many are adopted repeatedly,” said Howell.

Anyone can participate, either to adopt a senior or post a senior for adoption, according to Howell.

If you are a senior or know a senior who would like to sign up, it is very simple. A parent or an approved friend just has to post a photo of their senior with some information to help those adopting them put together goodies.

“We have seen many different things from baskets of their favorite snacks and drinks to gift cards for whatever they need. One boy received a tool kit he was able to use for his future schooling,” said Howell.

To support the project, request to join the ‘TAHS adopt a SENIOR 2022’ Facebook Page and share it with friends, neighbors, and Tyrone alumni.  The group currently has 836 members.

There is no minimum amount required to spend in order to adopt a senior. A simple card with a message or a handwritten letter wishing them luck is enough.

“Don’t be shy to adopt someone, all it takes is a few words of encouragement to brighten someone’s day,” said Howell.