Telegraph photo by TOM KING The lights were on at Stellos Stadium for 20 minutes beginning at 8:20 on Wednesday night, with the scoreboard numbers honoring the Nashua North and South senior classes of 2020.

A few minutes before 8:20 Wednesday night, Nashua Park-Recreation employee Bob Guidabone checked his watch at Stellos Stadium.

It was time.

The lights were turned on for 20 minutes on at both Holman Stadium and Stellos to honor the Nashua High School North and South Class of 2020. The time of 8:20 was significant, as it’s 20:20 in military time. The scoreboards at both facilites were also filled with the numbers 2020.

The gesture originated with an idea from the Nashua athletic department, but certainly wasn’t just for student-athletes who had their seasons canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Everything else – proms and other spring senior activities — were also eliminated as the schools have been closed since March.

The parking lot at Stellos to the side of one of the entrances had plenty of activity with a smattering of students and adults people on hand to witness the event. Coaches from Nashua South were also at Stellos as the facility was kept empty for the most part.

It was the same at Holman, with some students and adults watching from the parking lot.

“This is a nice way to do it,” Panthers baseball coach James Gaj said. “We have to be creative now, and this seems to be a definite creative way to honor your seniors. The rug was pulled out from under them, and they don’t know what to do. It’s a good start.”

Gaj was reminded by Nashua athletic director Lisa Gingras that was to be the week for the annual North-South Battle of the Bridge. There were to be lacrosse games at Stellos, baseball at Holman also battles between the softball, tennis and track teams.

“We would’ve been playing North on Friday night,” Gaj said. “I feel bad for all the seniors. It’s terrible.”

“It’s something special,” South girls lacrosse coach Ciki McIntire said. “It’s a very small way to honor them, and the thought that went into this to at least try to make it happen is very nice.

“I think (the seniors) appreciate it. I think they’re looking for any small token they can take with them.”

McIntire’s daughter, Kirsten, would have been playing lacrosse for her final season at South, and to not be able to play “has been rough”. Ciki McIntire also says she herself misses coaching.

“It is killing me,” McIntire said. “I don’t know what to do with my time.”

South girls basketball coach John Bourgeois came by to show his support.

“I think it’s a good thing for people to drive by and have something they’re honored by,” he said. “It’s sad teams are not able to have their season. We were lucky enough to have our season, but for the spring sports, it’s pretty tough for them.”

The Wednesday Night Lights were meant to make it just a little easier.

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