SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Students at the Springfield Renaissance School took to the streets of downtown in celebration of their academic success. Springfield teachers honor Sandy Hook victims with remembrance ceremony on Memorial Bridge Students gathered on the steps of Springfield Symphony Hall Friday morning and then began a march to the post office on Liberty Street. The tradition comes from a time when most students used to physically mail in their college applications. Since students nowadays send their college applications online, the Renaissance students now send thank you notes. "And this is important to make sure that we make sure our urban students have the same opportunities and have the chance to go to college and have the opportunity to go to college once they leave Renaissance," said Derek Wright, the Principal of Springfield Renaissance School.  It wasn't just college-bound seniors taking part in Friday's march, ninth graders from the Renaissance School are also part of the tradition, in order to inspire them and show them what is possible through hard work. Local News Headlines A look at the average Massachusetts snow and rain in December College-bound Springfield students march to celebrate academic success Second Chance saved over 55,000 pets in 2024 Springfield teachers honor Sandy Hook victims with remembrance ceremony on Memorial Bridge WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.