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PLYMOUTH — For junior Brooke Piledggi, 17, of Kingston, first period Thursday began with dipping strawberries into chocolate.

“In a matter of five hours, we were done,” Piledggi said, her glance taking in the tables and chairs she’d helped set up outdoors for the annual senior tea at Wyoming Valley West High School, the refreshments she’d helped prepare, and the smiling seniors and moms she intended to photograph for the yearbook.

“It’s kind of like a last reunion before graduation,” said Liv Burkhardt, 17, explaining why she and many other juniors wanted to make the event special for approximately 275 seniors and their guests.

Burkhardt and her friends had spent part of the morning filling cannolis before turning their attention to serving refreshments at the tea, which has been a school tradition since 1968.

The event is a memory maker alongside awards night, the senior trip and the senior cookout, said Lisa Granahan, tea coordinator and anatomy teacher. “It’s an honor to make it continue.”

Several moms said they appreciated the elegance of the afternoon — and the excitement of seeing a son or daughter reach the milestone of graduation.

“I’m on Cloud 9,” said Careen Mangan, mother of JoAnn.

“I’m feeling wonderful,” said Debra Gaylord, mother of Autumn.

“It’s so nice to meet the moms of my daughter’s friends,” said Amy Check, of Forty Fort, who accompanied her daughter, Marie.

“I like getting dressed up, like ladies,” said Kathleen Sherrill, who accompanied her daughter, Vivian. “It reminds me of Anne of Green Gables.”

Overall, the tea was a fashionable affair with a small orchestra of underclassmen providing instrumental music. Most moms and daughters opted for summery dresses and many sons wore sport coats, or ties and button-down shirts.

Ryder Milia’s blazer was an eye-catching black-and-white floral print he and his mom, Tammy, had spotted at JCPenney. “It started out as a joke,” he said. “But I like it.”

Gabriel Gillespie, 18, also stood out in a red sport coat and tie, which matched the red frames of his glasses.

“It’s a nice way to celebrate our parents,” Gillespie said of the tea. “It’s kind of like Mother’s Day.”

As the tea progressed, lots of moms and grads kept busy shooting photos.

“Give me good smiles,” Katie Fine, of Plymouth, told her son Kevin Zeske’s friends. “You all look handsome.”

Wyoming Valley West High School senior Ricky Leon, 17, poses for a picture with his mother Jahra Florentino on Thursday during the school’s annual Senior Tea in Plymouth.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_HighSchoolSeniorTea1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Valley West High School senior Ricky Leon, 17, poses for a picture with his mother Jahra Florentino on Thursday during the school’s annual Senior Tea in Plymouth. Butch Comegys | For Times Leader

Wyoming Valley West High School senior Ryder Milia, 19, enjoys Thursday’s annual Senior Tea with his mother Tammy Milia held at the high school in Plymouth.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_HighSchoolSeniorTea3-1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Valley West High School senior Ryder Milia, 19, enjoys Thursday’s annual Senior Tea with his mother Tammy Milia held at the high school in Plymouth. Butch Comegys | For Times Leader

Several hundred people took part during the annual Senior Tea held on Thursday at Wyoming Valley West High School in Plymouth.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_HighSchoolSeniorTea4-1.jpg.optimal.jpgSeveral hundred people took part during the annual Senior Tea held on Thursday at Wyoming Valley West High School in Plymouth. Butch Comegys | For Times Leader

Wyoming Valley West High School senior Harunah Jallow, 18, takes a selfie with his cousin Kinta Gomez, 20, during Thursday’s annual Senior Tea held at the high school in Plymouth.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_HighSchoolSeniorTea5-1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Valley West High School senior Harunah Jallow, 18, takes a selfie with his cousin Kinta Gomez, 20, during Thursday’s annual Senior Tea held at the high school in Plymouth. Butch Comegys | For Times Leader

It was crowded on campus at Wyoming Valley West High School on Thursday in Plymouth during the annual Senior Tea event.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_HighSchoolSeniorTea6-1.jpg.optimal.jpgIt was crowded on campus at Wyoming Valley West High School on Thursday in Plymouth during the annual Senior Tea event. Butch Comegys | For Times Leader

Wyoming Valley West High School senior Lauren Konopke, 19, receives a kiss from her mother Maria Konopke during Thursday’s annual Senior Tea event held at the school in Plymouth.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_HighSchoolSeniorTea7-1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Valley West High School senior Lauren Konopke, 19, receives a kiss from her mother Maria Konopke during Thursday’s annual Senior Tea event held at the school in Plymouth. Butch Comegys | For Times Leader

Wyoming Valley West High School senior Noah Mleczynski, 18, walks with his mother Anela Paresa during Thursday’s annual Senior Tea held at the high school in Plymouth.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_HighSchoolSeniorTea2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Valley West High School senior Noah Mleczynski, 18, walks with his mother Anela Paresa during Thursday’s annual Senior Tea held at the high school in Plymouth. Butch Comegys | For Times Leader

By Mary Therese Biebel

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