For 19 graduating Rock Island High School Seniors they got to returned to where it all began, their alma mater, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.

On Wednesday, May 22 the students got to enjoy a lunch and catch up with their former teachers and principal, Mike Nitzel.

"It's a huge milestone for you," Nitzel told them. "We hope you appreciate the point of coming back full circle for us to share in your accomplishment and celebration.

Thomas Jefferson has been making the walk a common practice for Rocky graduating seniors for the last three years. The walk, which has been dubbed the “Walk of Pride,” gives seniors the opportunity to put their caps and gowns on and walk through the school one last time.

TJ students line the hallways with signs and high-fives, cheering the seniors on as they walked by.

Principal Nitzel says it’s important for the elementary students to see, “some of them don’t think they will get to this point.” He says seeing the graduating seniors shows them that graduation is possible.

The Rock Island High School seniors will walk on the graduation stage Saturday, June 1, at 12 PM at the TaxSlayer Center.