Tossing a mortarboard or boogieing in formal wear is best enjoyed in the company of classmates. Though they may be known as the iGeneration, most 2020 graduates probably didn’t want so much of their senior year to be virtual. The teens’ tech prowess has come in handy during weeks of online learning, but now safety measures meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have forced many rites of passage online or to be indefinitely postponed.
Many of the Catholic high schools within the Arlington diocese are livestreaming graduation ceremonies and Baccalaureate Masses in the coming days, but it’s still unclear whether they’ll be able to have longed-for in-person celebrations with their students later this summer. So they’re finding creative ways to honor graduates as best they can.
St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax erected a large sign on the school grounds with the message “We love and miss our seniors!” Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria hung a banner on the school celebrating “Virtually The Best Class Ever” and is posting photos on social media of its seniors sporting apparel of the college they hope to attend in the fall.
Parochial schools are celebrating their graduating eighth graders, too. St. Thomas More Cathedral School in Arlington gave each graduating eighth grader a congratulatory yard sign and personalized cookie. St. James School in Falls Church is honoring its eighth graders by posting each student’s photo, favorite quote and favorite memory on Facebook. St. Francis of Assisi School in Triangle similarly is posting about its eighth graders, their photos, extracurriculars and where they’ll attend high school.
No matter how their accomplishments are commemorated, it’s sure to be a virtually unforgettable spring for the Class of 2020.
