Photo Essay

PHOTOS: Ending the School Year the Way It Started — With a High-Five

by Susan Fried

Rainier Beach High School students passed two rows of people on the last day of school June 27. Passing under an outdoor canopy tent, they slapped hands with community members.

The school year ended there just as it began. Community members held a similar high-fiving event at the beginning of the school year to show “Rainier Beach High School students some love on the first day of the new school year by showing up and giving them high-fives as they enter the building.”

South Seattle Emerald photographer Susan Fried was on hand to document the event.

Rainier Beach High School student Davon meets a line of neighbors, community members and law enforcement for high-fives on the last day of school before summer break. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Rainier Beach High School Junior Flora brings flowers and balloons to give to her teachers as a thank you for a great school year. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Hana Mohamed and her 7-month-old son Mohamed greet a Rainier Beach High School student as she arrives for her last day of school June 27. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Rainier Beach High School student Henoke gets high-fives from neighbors, community members and law enforcement on the last day of school before summer break. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Students walk through a gauntlet of high-fives outside of Rainier Beach High School the last day of class before summer. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Heading into class for the last time before summer, Rainier Beach High School student Katherine receives high-fives from neighbors, community members and law enforcement. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Rainier Beach High School student Community members and law enforcement greet Asmian for the last day of school. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Rainier Beach High School student Lorena walks on to Rainier Beach High School campus on the last day of school, headphones plugged in and hands at the ready for high-fives from community members. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Featured Image: Students walk through a gauntlet of high-fives outside of Rainier Beach High School the last day of class before summer. (Photo: Susan Fried)