With many proms, senior trips, and other school events being postponed or canceled altogether due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Trenton Central High School (TCHS) has collaborated with the “Heal The City” initiative to honor and congratulate the graduating class of 2020 with six outstanding billboards.

As the class of 2020 faces tremendous challenges and stresses during the worldwide pandemic, this cultivating project highlights a graduating class, who not only exudes strength and resilience but also showcase what it truly means to be a Trenton High Tornado. Placing six billboards throughout Trenton for each ward, every board represents one of the five small learning communities; the sixth being a group photo of the entire TCHS graduating class.

Established in 2013, the S.E.E.D. male mentoring program’s Heal the City project has drawn in collective individuals working together with the same purpose to implement inspiring programs and events throughout the city of Trenton. S.E.E.D., which stands for Servants Endeavoring to Empower and Develop, created Heal the City to uplift and inspire Trenton residents by placing billboards throughout the city. Over a course of two years, 20 billboards have gone up in Trenton encouraging young people to strive and achieve academic success.

“On behalf of the TCHS community, we thank the Heal the City organization and our School-Based Youth Services Program for bringing to fruition this extraordinary act of love and support for our 2020 graduates,” said Hope Grant, Principal at Trenton Central High School. “These billboards, which will be located across the city of Trenton, will highlight our graduates, bring together our community, and celebrate education.”

TCHS administration, staff, as well as students from the senior class have worked hand-in-hand with Heal the City to make this project a heartwarming reality. Meeting with Ms. Sabrina Mccall, a local graphic designer virtually, students were involved with selecting a memorable quote of inspiration from noble figures that culturally resonate with them.

An unveiling ceremony will take place today, July 9th at 3:00 p.m., at a billboard site located at the corner of Lincoln and Clinton Ave.

Having the thrilling opportunity myself to be apart of a Heal the City billboard my sophomore year of high school and once again as a graduating senior, is very fulfilling. Two years ago at an intense basketball game between the Trenton Central High School Tornados and Hightstown High School Rams, cheerleaders were met with the face of adversity when a chorus of unsportsmanlike behavior arose. The poise and commitment to finishing the game resulted in two Heal the City billboards, honoring our sectional state champ basketball players and cheerleading team with quotes: “When they go low, we go high”-Michelle Obama and “I tell kids to pursue their basketball dreams, but I tell them to not let that be their only dream.”-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Heal The City is among the growing number of positive initiatives in the city of Trenton and will continue providing the youth and parents with inspiration and strategies for success.

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