Turning 16 is a rite of passage. It’s supposed to be the day when teenagers get their driver’s license.

However, for two El Reno High School students and best friends, turning 16 took on a different meaning last week courtesy of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead of having parties with friends and families, Hailey McBroom and Caroline Huber spent their 16th birthdays somewhat isolated.

They did their required schoolwork, went to jobs or worked on sewing face masks for people to wear as virus protection.

“It kind of sucked because you only turn 16 once and it’s one of those things you can’t get back. But I would rather be safe and celebrate the best we can than trying to go out and have a party and run the chance of getting sick and being in the hospital,” said McBroom.

There is another sad part of turning 16 under a state of emergency, quarantine or whatever word adults tag to the pandemic - not getting that all important driver’s license. Both teenagers were using a local driving school that temporarily shut down under the order of Gov. Kevin Stitt.

“I was really hoping to get my driver’s license. I had done all the written tests, I just needed to take my driver’s test. I wanted to go pick up some of my younger friends and we had the day planned out, but we couldn’t go because I didn’t get my driver’s license,” said Huber.

McBroom said both girls are eager to get that piece of plastic in their wallets.

“It’s agony waiting. I was looking forward to getting my license and what makes it even worse is I have my own car. Now all I can do is sit and look at it in the driveway,” said McBroom.

Huber is doing the same just a few miles away.

“Sometimes I just go out and sit in my car. I like to listen to music but I don’t start the car,” said Huber.

To help take the sting out of a somewhat bummer 16th birthday, both Huber and McBroom were surprised by friends and family.

After making cupcakes, getting takeout food for her birthday dinner and opening up a present, which was an agonizing personalized front license plate for her car, Huber got a surprise she did not expect.

A line of cars driven by friends and educators rolled by her house. Horns were honking, gifts handed out the window and signs poked upward through the sunroofs.

“It was a surprise, a pleasant one,” said Huber.

One of those holding a sign out the top of a car was McBroom, who had no idea that two days later it would be her turn. She woke up on her special day to a large lawn sign and a constant flow of friends and family driving by and honking with birthday wishes.

There were cards left in the mailbox and calls made with happy birthday sung to the sophomore.

“That surprised me. I had no clue (yard sign) was happening. We were planning to have a party but we ended up not having it because all the restaurants were closed,” said McBroom.

Fun and safe ways to bring a smile to the teenagers’ faces in the middle of a worldwide crisis.