School principal visits drive-thru to inform student she is valedictorian

A Michigan high school student was surprised this week after the principal from her school placed an order at the restaurant where she works to tell her she had been named valedictorian. 

Michelle Floering, secondary principal at Grand Traverse Academy in Traverse City, Mich., filmed herself surprising Kaitlyn Watson at a Culver’s restaurant, where the high school student is employed. 

“I’m about to tell her a huge announcement,” the principal said in the now-viral video, joking that she still has to stay 6 feet away to practice social distancing after placing her order.

“So, I’ve got you on camera because I want to announce something to you today. You are GTA’s 2020 class valedictorian,” Floering told the student. 

“I am?” the student asked, smiling and thanking the principal.

“Thank you so much. I am so excited,” she continued.

“An extended school break and social distancing did not stop Michelle Floering, Secondary principal, from finding a way to give one of our seniors some exciting news! Congratulations, Kaitlyn!” the school shared on Facebook.

High schools across the country have been forced to cancel or delay graduation ceremonies, proms and other traditions for the end of the school year amid the coronavirus pandemic that has infected more than 85,000 people in the U.S. More than 30,000 schools have been closed across the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, The New York Times reported.