12 graduating seniors from Rock Island High School had the chance to walk the halls of their former elementary school one more time on Thursday. Mike Nitzel, Principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School says the goal was for the seniors to inspire his students to also reach that stage one day.   “The fact that they’re willing to come back and share their accomplishments with the kids we have now, that’s impressive to me. That’s a huge give-back,” said Nitzel.   One of the mottos at Thomas Jefferson Elementary is to “Begin With the End in Mind.” Nitzel says seeing the two generations together at once makes his job worth all of the effort.   “That’s why you get into this gig and that’s why you stay in this business. Because you want to make a difference and you hope you make a difference,” said Nitzel.   Thomas Jefferson students lined the halls and cafeteria to congratulate the seniors and have the chance to see what their future could be one day. They also got the chance to eat lunch with them. Students say that walking the halls gave them the chance to not only inspire others but also the chance to reflect on the path that brought them to where they are today.   “Really emotional. I just saw my 6th grade teacher and he is the only teacher that I had who is still here. So it was a very emotional time for me. It’s really awesome to be here,” said Ashley Hanson, a Rock Island Graduating Senior    Arionna Pitchford-Simpson, another Rock Island Graduating Senior added, “I see my teachers walking through the hallway. Kind of makes me want to get teared up a little bit but being here is just the highlight, probably I’ll remember this day for the rest of my life.”   This was the first graduation parade at the school but administrators say they plan to keep marching on year after year as long as it keeps inspiring students.    “Life is not always fun and games and sometimes you get serious. But if you make it the best, it will be the best,” said Pitchford-Simpson.   Rock Island High School graduation ceremony takes place on Saturday.