BONNERS FERRY — The dark, barren Bonners Ferry High School football field suddenly blazed with light at 8:20 p.m. on Friday night.

There were no players on the field. There was no packed grandstand to see it. There was no band playing.

Yet the lights shone out, a symbol of strength, a symbol of the bright future that awaits.

The Bonners Ferry High School football field was lit up, one of about 100 schools around the state that turned on stadium lights to honor students and communities in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There was no cheering from the stands. It was quiet. But the rays of light cascading down on the open playing field held the promise of brighter days to come — and to honor the strength and resilience of the students and community of Boundary County.

8:20 p.m. — the timing is symbolic — the “8” represents the eight weeks of school remaining. The “20” is in honor of the graduating class of 2020.

“Our hearts go out to our seniors,” said Boundary County School Superintendent Jan Bayer. “I am so very impressed with their positive attitudes, belief in our community, desire to persevere, and having such big hearts to help others.”

At 8:40 p.m. the lights went out.

But not the lights in the hearts of the people, the students, and the staff of the Boundary County School District.