LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - With honking horns, hoots and hollers, Live Oak High School students, their parents, siblings and Live Oak Unified School District Staff came together to celebrate Live Oak High School Principal Tony Walton in a secret parade last Friday, April 17^th.

The parade was the heartfelt response to a video message Principal Walton aired on April 13^th, addressing the student body about the COVID19 shut down of schools and the personal effect that it had on him.  In it Principal Walton said, “I didn’t realize how important you guys were to me until you were taken from me, in a sense.” He continued to share that he suffered a small heart attack a few weeks before, attributing it to the school shut down and the stress of COVID19. Now recovered he says, “I roam these empty halls and it just makes me sad knowing that I don’t get to spend these last few days with you guys – honestly, my life is a little bit incomplete without you guys in it. And, literally and figuratively, it broke my heart…this happening.” He continued to urge students to stay hopeful -not fearful, be strong for their families and to continue their educations. He ended, “My beloved students, make no mistake about this, I don’t know when, but I do know that we will, as a pride of lions, rise and fight again.”

Little did he know that his Lions would rally and rise up to lift his spirits just days later.

After watching the video, parent of high schooler Efren Curiel, Michele, told her son “We gotta do something – We’re going big.”  So in under four days, Curiel got with LOHS Cheerleading Coach Janette Curiel to help spread the word, got the approval of Superintendent Mat Gulbrandsen, cleared a safe route with Sutter County Sheriff Brandon Barnes and organized DJ Ben Salcido to provide the music for a spirit-filled parade in honor of Mr. Walton.

Friday just before noon, a caravan of 85 vehicles decorated with signs, balloons, carrying well-wishers lined up on the eastern side of the school while Vice Principal Mrs. Gibbs kept Principal Walton distracted. Then, Principal Walton was summoned out-front.

As he emerged from the front of the school, clueless as to what was unfolding, the DJ played AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” and it was clear Principal Walton was exactly that. Overcome with emotion, Mr. Walton wiped away tears as students paraded past, waving signs and excitedly wishing him well. Mr. Walton made sure each and every one of them were thanked as they rolled by and lined up afterwards along Pennington to wave their signs (social distancing of course). Some even had gifts for the beloved principal.

Afterwards, Mr. Walton said, “I was surprised and overwhelmed at how many students came through and I just… It wasn’t my intention for this to happen. I just wanted a positive note with the students. But if it helps the community heal and helps them feel better, then I’m glad.”

Organizer Michele Curiel said that while it started out as a celebration for Mr. Walton, it indeed turned into a celebration for the community. Curiel says, “The smiles were incredible, the spirit was alive and the love was Magical! I received so many thank you’s in person and texts, but I cannot take credit for this because the KIDS were the real stars of this parade!”