Written by Mary Beth Peabody
Parades, balloons, lawn signs, gift bags and other surprises went a long way to bring joy to graduating eighth graders in South Jersey Catholic Schools. Due to social distancing guidelines in place at the time of graduation, the schools planned virtual graduation and awards ceremonies, with a live event for diploma distribution.
In some places, like Saint Rose of Lima School in Haddon Heights, that meant rolling out the red carpet.
“I think it was a lot more fun than regular graduation,” said graduate Julia Prete, who attended her two brothers’ graduations in the past. She said that after watching a virtual awards ceremony, her family drove to the school at her pre-assigned time. There, balloons and cheering teachers awaited Julia and her classmates, who got out of their cars one at a time and walked on a red carpet to receive their diplomas.
Saint Michael the Archangel Regional School in Clayton took to the road for diploma distribution. “The teachers did a parade, and we got our awards then,” said graduate Megan Foster. With school principal Phil Gianfortune, a parade of teachers in decorated, honking cars went to the home of every eighth grader to deliver diplomas, lawn signs, T-shirts and awards. Graduates and award winners were recognized in a video as well.
As a class speaker, Brian Palin was part of the pre-recorded video produced for virtual graduation from Saint Joseph Regional School in Somers Point. He addressed his classmates from a podium set up in the foyer in his home. Brian admitted he was upset at first that his class would not be allowed to graduate in person, but said that at the school’s drive-up diploma event, “the teachers were there clapping and cheering … they made the ceremony nice for us.” And he was especially grateful for the parents who found a way to keep the traditional walk to Dairy Queen in the graduation equation.
Julia, Megan and Brian are three of nearly 800 students to graduate from the 28 elementary schools in the Diocese of Camden in the year of the coronavirus, a year they will never forget. Although the schools were unable to celebrate graduation in a traditional way, they came up with new ideas to honor their graduates.
“The whole school really chipped in … everyone tried to do special things,” said Julia, adding that she was especially grateful to a school family with younger children who “adopted” her and brought her special gifts in the days leading up to graduation.
As all schools found new ways to honor their graduates, Guardian Angels Regional School (Gibbstown/ Paulsboro) went a step further by celebrating the class of 2016, now the high school class of 2020.
“It was spearheaded by one of our parents who didn’t even have a graduate this year, one of those parents who constantly thinks of others,” said school advancement director Marcie Voight. Many eighth grade families were on board, delivering gift baskets, yard signs and a pin reminding the class of 2016 that their Guardian Angel is always watching over them.
Helen Persing, principal at Saint John Paul II Regional School in Stratford, acknowledged the generosity of the many families who helped make graduation season special for eighth graders. She said the diploma event took shape thanks to volunteer families who provided balloons, video services and a sound system with music. Persing was especially touched by a school alum and professional photographer who took several photos of each student at the event, a great benefit for parents.
“It’s hard when you’re in a car to take that photo,” she said. “Parents were very supportive the whole time. … They decorated their cars and had fun.”
Eighth grade families expressed their thanks to the school in a plaque that reads, “To commemorate the students and faculty of St. John Paul II Regional School, who proved that through adaptability and perseverance we are all capable of achieving great things. The Quarantined Class of 2020.”
In a recorded address to graduates, Bishop Dennis Sullivan thanked parents for choosing a Catholic school and told students, “The education you received in your school will last forever and be part of your life forever … your school educated the whole of you — your mind, your body and your soul.” He told them that Catholic school is a place that reinforces values they first learned at home, especially the values of faith, hope and charity. “They define how you will live as a disciple of Jesus Christ,” he said.