| NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 15, 2020) — After hearing her high school would not open again for the remainder of the year, Abby Bannon (18), a Crawfordsville (Indiana) High School senior, wrote an anthem for graduates all over the world called, “Here’s To You.” After uploading it to YouTube on March 19, the song went viral seeing over a million streams and drawing the attention of CBS Sunday Morning and Varsity Brands. The CBS Sunday Morning segment featuring Abby is scheduled to air this Sunday, May 17, National Graduation Day. (For CBS Sunday Morning air times in your area, please visit: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sunday-morning-show-times/)
Varsity Brands, the market leader in team sports, school spirit and achievement recognition, has launched a #GradChallenge2020 on social media and will use “Here’s To You” as the official graduation song. The #GradChallenge2020 will encourage the senior class of 2020 to share their stories across social media.
“#GradChallenge2020 was created to celebrate the class of 2020 and design a platform for each senior to share his or her unique story,” says Nicole Lauchaire, Varsity Brands Sr. Vice President
of Corporate Communications. “Abby Bannon’s ‘Here’s To You’ is a true testament to the class of 2020 as it navigates closure through these uncertain times. Abby’s spirit of leadership through this song aligns perfectly with Varsity Brands’ mission of elevating student experiences and celebrating school spirit.”
A student athlete and senior class president, Abby realizes missing high school moments isn’t the worst that could happen, especially during a health crisis.
“I keep reminding myself and my friends that it really could be so much worse for us,” she said. “Obviously this stinks and we’re missing out on a lot, but there are so many better days ahead and so many other things to look forward to.”
Abby, top 10 in her class, is headed to Belmont University in Nashville to study business and music. But for now, it’s an emotional loss seniors and their families are facing.
Abby has received messages from fellow seniors saying everything from, “This is so real to us!” to “Thank you for putting to music what’s in my mind and heart right now. This song is helping us all
so much.”
“Reading all these messages makes me feel like I’ve contributed positively to others experiencing similar emotions right now,” says Abby. “I’m grateful for that and hope everyone who hears this song can find a point of light in it.”
Follow Abby on social media, here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbybannon_/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/abbybannon_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abbybannon_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abby.bannon.79
About Abby Bannon:
Abby Bannon is a senior at Crawfordsville High School (Crawfordsville, Indiana). Throughout her 4 years there she swam, studied, studied, laughed, created timeless friendships, and grew. When she got the call that her school would not open again for the remainder of the academic year, like seniors all over the world, she was crushed. For the class of 2020, spring semester has changed dramatically. A student athlete and senior class president, Abby realizes missing high school moments isn’t the worst that could happen, especially during a health crisis. “I keep reminding myself and my friends that it really could be so much worse for us,” she said. “Obviously this stinks and we’re missing out on a lot, but there are so many better days ahead and so many other things to look forward to.” With that she chooses to remember, reminisce, and rejoice. “Here’s To You” is the graduation anthem to remind seniors of the last four years and the laughter, friendships and growth no one can take away.
About Varsity Brands:
With a mission to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for young people, Varsity Brands elevates the student experience, promotes participation and celebrates achievement through three unique but interrelated businesses: BSN SPORTS, a Varsity Sport Brand; Varsity Spirit; and Herff Jones, a Varsity Achievement Brand. Together, these assets promote personal, school and community pride through their customizable products and programs to elementary and middle schools, high schools, and colleges and universities, as well as church organizations, professional and collegiate sports teams and corporations. Through its 9,000 dedicated employees and independent representatives, Varsity Brands reaches its individual and institutional customers each year via catalog, telesales, e-commerce sites and direct sales channels. |
