These are trying times as people cope with uncertainty and a disruption in their lives caused by the coronavirus pandemic that halted in-person learning and many other things.
The 20 high schools in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland have been working to ensure that members of this year’s graduating class have a memorable end to their senior year and special memories of their graduation.
Click HERE for a special feature on the class of 2020.
Here is a look at how the schools – in no particular order -- are celebrating their seniors, according to information they provided.
Archbishop Hoban High School: Two hundred graduates participated in a hybrid graduation. The original commencement date was May 24. Seniors had private graduation ceremonies in the school chapel with up to seven family members. Each graduation moment was recorded and compiled into a full graduation video. A baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Father Michael Ausperk was livestreamed on May 24.
The commencement speaker was Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. The class of 2020 valedictorian, Tanner Guld, and salutatorian, Ayaka Coffman, recorded messages that were included in the graduation video.
Hoban has many senior traditions at the end of the year. On their last day of school, there is an alumni senior breakfast to welcome the seniors to the alumni association, but that event was canceled. The Senior Mass was livestreamed as a way to pray for and wish the seniors farewell and the senior class video was emailed to all seniors rather than watching it as a group.
Also, at the end of the day, seniors paint the HOBAN letters on the hillside. This tradition did take place as a result of planning small groups to paint sections of the letters in a safe atmosphere.
This year, Hoban also planned a senior drive-thru for seniors to say goodbye to their teachers. It took place after the baccalaureate Mass on May 24. Also, the school purchased a billboard for the weekend of the original graduation date and celebrated each student via social media and the school website.
Padua Franciscan High School: Graduation was rescheduled for 7 p.m. July 16 at Holy Family Church in Parma. In case that can’t happen due to the pandemic, school officials said they are working on another plan. The annual awards ceremony will be combined with graduation
The baccalaureate Mass is scheduled for 7 p.m. July 14 at St. Anthony Church in Parma. The presider will be Padua Franciscan President Father Allan DaCorte, OFM.
There are 173 graduates and school officials said they are committed to providing a ceremony as live and traditional as possible, while following the governmental and health guidelines. The ceremony will include speeches from our Valedictorian Angela Falconi, Salutatorian Nicole Lippucci and a commencement speech from Father. Thomas Nairn, OFM, provincial of the Sacred Heart Provence.
School officials said Padua Franciscan has consistently and meaningfully celebrated its senior class throughout the health crisis. “Our message is clear: ‘You are never alone. You are always a Bruin!’” they said. They delivered personalized yard signs, sent Franciscan prayer packages including individual letters from teachers, a San Damiano cross and the freshmen retreat letter the seniors wrote to themselves four years ago. Each senior also was celebrated with a digital bio of the class and sent a faculty/staff end-of-the-year goodbye video.
Holy Name High School: On May 29, Holy Name aired a virtual graduation ceremony. It included all the components of the regular graduation ceremony, with each student and his or her honors read. Additionally, three speakers were featured during the virtual ceremony: valedictorian Matthew Stracensky, Father Damian Ference, Holy Name class of 1994, and P.J. Ziegler, class of 1999 and now a sportscaster for Fox 8 News.
On, July 17, Holy Name hopes to have an additional ceremony at the school, following health department guidelines for mass gatherings.
The valedictorian (Matthew Stracensky) and salutatorian (Katherine Reardon) are both National Merit Finalists. Matthew also earned a perfect 36 on his ACT, and was profiled on/in TV stations and news stories.
On May 15, Holy Name aired a virtual version of the annual Senior Awards Ceremony and on May 22, there was a senior car parade led by the Parma Heights Police Department. The school staff also created a class of 2020 photo gallery, shared senior congratulations videos (with contributions from parents, faculty and staff), distributed yard sign and, did senior spotlights on Facebook and Twitter for each graduate.
Holy Name did not have a separate baccalaureate Mass. The school plans to celebrate Mass on July 17 in conjunction with the graduation recognition ceremony that evening.
Our Lady of the Elms: Twenty-one students graduated on June 6 at the school in Akron, observing social distancing and with staggered graduation times and in-person speakers.
The in-person speakers were Debora Farquhar Jones, Elms president, at the convocation; Rachel Simonton, senior class president, at the student convocation; Adeline Hatfield, Coalition president, as the communal prayer; Sister Valerie Shaul, O.P at the benediction.
Recorded speakers were Adeline Hatfieldand Maria Kipfstuhl, who addressed the graduates.
Displaced traditions included the annual Alumnae Luncheon, Senior Prank Day, Senior Farewell Assembly and the Big Sis/Little Sis Candle Ceremony.
Baccalaureate Mass was celebrated by video on May 22 from St. Sebastian Church and posted on YouTube.
Valedictorian was Josephine Rozner and salutatorian was Angela Murrin.
Beaumont School: A graduation ceremony for 76 seniors took place on June 7 at Landerhaven. Father Tom Fanta celebrated a baccalaureate Mass at St. Dominic Church in Shaker Heights.
A drive-in approach that was part virtual and part real was a high point of the commencement celebration. Seniors’ names and awards were presented on a jumbo screen live while seniors were parked in their cars during the presentation. Valedictorian Bridget Popelka and Salutatorian Helen Hoover pre-recorded their speeches.
School officials said they are proud of their efforts partnering with parents to find a creative solution that made the best out of a difficult situation.
Walsh Jesuit High School: Walsh Jesuit graduated 243 seniors this year. On May 20, the school posted online a virtual senior awards ceremony. The highest award, the Jesuit Schools Network Award, was given to Natalie Chase and Sam Willkomm.
Beginning at 5 p.m. on May 30, Walsh Jesuit livestreamed its baccalaureate Mass from the school’s chapel with the principal, Father Mark Carr, SJ as celebrant at the Pentecost Mass. Father Don Petkash, SJ and Father Ken Styles, SJ concelebrated the Mass. Seniors Tessa D’Errico and Brooke Smith served as lectors and cantors. The homily highlighted four voices for the graduates to listen to amidst a pandemic and as they graduate and venture out into a new world: a fellow student, Dr. Anthony Fauci (a graduate of a Jesuit high school and Jesuit university), Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
It is a school custom to present a blessed St. Ignatius medal to each senior during the baccalaureate Mass. This year, graduates picked up their medals from school along with their caps/gowns ahead of time. During Mass, after Communion, parents were asked to present these medals to their sons/daughters at home while praying a prayer that was provided in the Mass program.
Walsh Jesuit posted a virtual commencement ceremony on its website at 10 a.m. on May 31. The video included prayer and remarks from school President Karl Ertle and Father Carr, as well as student graduation speaker Kylie Rico ’20. There also were still photos of each graduate with his/her name read by an administrator; a class of 2020 graduation video and a remotely assembled version of the alma mater by the band/orchestra students.
From 1-4 p.m. on May 31, Walsh Jesuit seniors -- in cap and gown -- and their families came to campus for a car/celebration parade. The route through campus was lined with decorations (balloons, banners, etc.), faculty members -- also in caps and gowns, the marching band playing the fight song, etc. At the end of the route, seniors exited their vehicles, had their name announced over a loudspeaker by Father Carr, ascended a stage where each received a diploma from Ertle, had a graduation photo taken by a professional photographer and then returned to their vehicle. The celebration parade was livestreamed.
On June 4, the class of 2020 continued its celebration of graduation at Midway Drive-In with a graduation video (including footage from the virtual commencement video and from the celebration parade) followed by a fireworks courtesy of the Sorgi family, a Walsh Jesuit alumni family who owns American Fireworks of Hudson.
Videos of the Seniors Awards ceremony, baccalaureate Mass, commencement ceremony are all posted online at walshjesuit.org.
Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School: A virtual graduation was posted to the school website on May 27. There were 107 graduates in the class of 2020.
Graduation included opening statements and prayers, followed by presentation of awards where names were read followed by a picture of the recipient. Then a video of a speech given by senior Shauna Burkes played, after which the graduates were called and a 5- to 10-second video of the graduate (provided by the graduate) aired. The video consisted of the grads in their caps and gowns celebrating in whatever way they chose. The graduation concluded with closing prayers and the singing of the alma mater by one of the senior choir members. In addition to that video, students, faculty and staff had an opportunity to submit a farewell video to say goodbye to the class of 2020.
This year’s valedictorian was Misrach Ewunetie and John Parker was salutatorian.
The other typical senior traditions, like picnic and lunch were canceled. The prom was rescheduled for July 24 and the baccalaureate Mass for July 22.
St. Edward High School: A combined baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony will celebrate the 223 graduates of St. Edward High School. The event will be live and in-person at 6 p.m. June 28 on the Brother James Everett, C.S.C. Field at the school. It will comply with social distancing and other safety guidelines.
Father Chuck Butkowski ’97, will celebrate the baccalaureate Mass. Commencement speakers will be Senior Man of the Year nominees, Principal KC McKenna ‘00 and President Jim Kubacki.
In addition to John Hanrahan '20 (Phi Beta Kappa Scholar), the five Man of the Year nominees are Gabriel Beaver, Connor Fairfield, Coleman Isner and Michael Manning. The winner will be announced that day. Since 1956, St. Edward High School has singled out one outstanding student from each graduating class and has presented him with the St. Edward High School Man of the Year Award, the highest honor the school can bestow on a student. Man of the Year nominees will be introduced at intervals, throughout the evening and the award recipient will be announced by Kubacki at the end of the program.
St. Edward High School also hosted a virtual 2020 Academic Awards Assembly for freshmen, sophomores and juniors on May 28 as well as a virtual End of Year Liturgy on May 29. The Class of 2020 Awards Night will be hosted from the Holy Family Chapel on campus and simulcast via livestream to the SEHS community at 7 p.m. June 24. All awards will be announced and all seniors receiving awards will be recognized via the simulcast. Seniors will be given their physical awards on the day of the baccalaureate Mass and graduation.
Cleveland Central Catholic High School: One hundred thirty seniors participated in a virtual graduation at 3:30 p.m. on May 31.
This year’s valedictorian was Elizabeth Neace and co-salutatorians were Kiara Marks and MacKenzie Rametta.
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School: Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin’s graduation ceremony for 180 seniors took place at 9:30 p.m. May 28 at the Mayfield Drive-In Theater. Seventy-one students received honors diplomas The first Top Scholar was Sarah Margaret Uhran and the second Top Scholars were Julia Kiernan Tripodo and Emily Caroline Callahan.
Commencement speaker was Joseph A. Waler, principal.
Justin Satterlee was recognized as a National Merit Finalist. National Merit Commended Students were Emily Callahan, Spencer Jacobson, Elliott Martin, David Oppenlander, Mary Grace Raddell, Sarah Uhran and Eric Echanova was honored by the National Hispanic Recognition Program.
Elyria Catholic High School: School officials called this year’s event the 22-hour graduation. They invited students and their immediate families to an individually videotaped graduation walk. Students were greeted by an administrative staff member and walked through to the Coliseum, where Assistant Principal Tom Taylor read their name and they walked to the table and picked up the empty diploma folder (the actual diplomas were picked up later from school) that Principal Suzanne Lester placed on the table, posed for a photo and cheers from their families, all the while being filmed.
Following the recording, they were directed to the senior hallway where they videotaped a message to their classmates, had an individual photo and family photo taken. A photo also was taken of each graduate tossing his/her cap in the air.
The baccalaureate Mass, celebrated by Father Andrew Hoover of St. Peter Parish, North Ridgeville, was livestreamed on May 21 from the school’s Our Lady of Grace Chapel at Elyria Catholic. Nearly 300 people watched.
The Awards Album was added to the website that night for families to view and the commencement video was posted to the website on May 22, with 225 viewers from eight states and two countries. All three events plus videos from athletics and other photo albums can be seen on the EC website: elyriacatholic.com/virtual-celebration-of-class-of-2020.
Magnificat High School: Magnificat celebrated the class of 2020 in a number of ways over the last few weeks. First, on May 17, seniors were invited to come to campus for a ceremonial walk across the stage in the Center for the Performing Arts.
Families chose time slots, health checks were conducted upon arrival, facial coverings were worn by all (with the exception of the student, who was permitted to remove hers as she walked across the stage) and social distancing was strictly adhered to. One student and her two guests were permitted into the auditorium at a time. Her name was read by the dean of Student Life and Formation, she received her diploma and a graduation portrait was taken.
Additionally, there was a mobile senior recognition ceremony on May 19, the original commencement date. The ceremony, which began with a short presentation from President Moira Clark and Vice President of Mission Sister Helen Jean Novy, HM, and the tolling of the bells at St. Christopher Church in Rocky River, took the class of 2020 on a drive through Rocky River, and a sentimental journey through the Magnificat campus, which had been decorated by senior parents.
An in-person commencement ceremony is planned for July 25 on Karnatz Family Field.
Gilmour Academy: Graduation was scheduled for May 24 for Gilmour’s 121 seniors, but it was postponed to Aug. 2. Gilmour recognized the seniors’ last day of classes with a Senior Car Parade on May 16. Students decorated their cars and drove individually through campus with faculty/staff lining the campus road in masks and gloves cheering them on. They parked in the parking lot and remained at their cars and then received a blessing from Campus Minister Father John Blazek, C.S.C. and heard remarks from Head of School Kathy Kenny and Director of Upper School Elizabeth Edmondson, who announced the class valedictorian, Garrett Olsen, and salutatorian, Ian Miller.
On May 24, students and their families were welcomed back to campus to pick up their diplomas. Each family traveled in one car and proceeded through campus. The campus road will be lined with each student's senior picture. Cars will pull up one at a time and the senior -- in mask and gloves -- got out of the car to pick up their diploma from a table. Head of School Kathy Kenny, Chairman of the Board Fred Botek and Director of the Upper School Elizabeth Edmondson offered their congratulations. Families then were invited to drive to the historic Tudor House on campus, where there were five photography stations set up so students and their families could take photos at one of the locations.
Jim Rooney, class of 1986, was scheduled to address the graduating class at the May 24 commencement ceremony, and will now speak at the rescheduled Aug. 2 event. He is the co-founder and principal of FirstLink Research & Analytics and recently authored a book titled, “A Different Way to Win, Dan Rooney’s Story From the Super Bowl to the Rooney Rule,” about his father, Dan Rooney, former U.S. ambassador to Ireland, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The May 24 baccalaureate Mass was livestreamed.
Lake Catholic High School: A virtual online graduation ceremony for 140 Lake Catholic High School seniors took place on May 28. Father Tom Johns, pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Mentor, gave the invocation. He also celebrated the baccalaureate Mass on May 26.
This year’s valedictorian is Rebecca Schick and the salutatorian is Evan Cassano.
Lake Catholic postponed its annual Passing the Torch Ceremony and the Bead Ceremony due to the pandemic. During the final rally of the school year, the senior class officers pass the torch to the junior class officers. The school has a large cross filled with green and white beads on display in its atrium. The beads represent each student who has graduated from the school.
During the bead ceremony, as the students line up for commencement, they drop a bead into the cross to signify their status of becoming Lake Catholic alumni. White beads represent the girls and green beads represent the boys. The school hopes to have a picnic in July to host these ceremonies.
School officials said the changes this year were very hard on all of the students, especially the seniors. They set alternate dates for prom, an in person commencement and a senior picnic in late July. “We are praying these will be able to work,” they added.
St. Vincent-St. Mary High School: Graduation for the 123 members of the class of 2020 was June 1 on the STVM campus. Students arrived on campus in cars decorated for graduation at a prearranged time slot. Immediate family members could attend, also. There was a photo opportunity in front of the school sign and then students went to a stage set up in the lower campus. They left their cars to receive their diplomas. Their
names will be announced along with any awards or recognitions earned, and they paused for a professional photograph. Students then returned to their cars to drive past members of the faculty who held signs and cheered for the newest graduates.
A formal, virtual graduation ceremony featuring all of the traditional graduation speeches and components is being produced and each senior will again be recognized in the recorded event.
A livestreamed baccalaureate Mass with limited in-person attendees took place on May 27 at St. Hilary Church, with Father Norman Douglas as celebrant.
This year’s valedictorian is Natalie Tobin; salutatorians are Isabella Davis, Noah Presley and Madison Mellinger.
Saint Ignatius High School: A graduation ceremony for the 359 members of the senior class is planned for 6 p.m. July 31 – the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola – at the school.
The graduation Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. at the school.
A drive-by senior parade took place on May 24 at the school. It ended with a blessing by the Jesuits for each family as their car left the route.
There also was a virtual end-of-year Mass where students participated as readers and musicians from home, and shared their favorite memories of their time at St. Ignatius. The Mass can be viewed on YouTube at: youtu.be/JrZV1pzEw2Y.
For full coverage of the school’s senior events, including articles, videos, reflections, graphics and more, visit ignatius.edu/class-of-2020.
Saint Martin De Porres High School: Seventy-seven students graduated May 6-7 during assigned 15-minute time slots at Saint Martin de Porres High School. Each student and up to five family members could enter the building at their assigned time, pick up their roses, diploma and any other awards, have their name announced by the administration, walk across the stage and have their picture taken. Each student was taped and a final video was assembled of the entire class. Facebook Live and Instagram were used to stream our valedictorian, key speaker and class president speeches. Faculty and staff were invited to sign up for time slots during which they sat in their cars in the parking lot to cheer on graduates as they entered the building.
A Senior Celebration Hour Zoom took place on May 21 during which combined the senior awards and retreat. Faculty announced senior awards and shared memories of the class of 2020. Students will also had an opportunity to participate in a few activities to reflect on their years at Saint Martin.
Trinity High School: School officials said they wanted to make the last few weeks of the school year as special as possible for the 86 members of the class of 2020.
June 1 was Senior Locker Day, when each senior was assigned a time slot to arrive at school to clean out his/her locker and receive their diploma. Students brought their caps and gowns so they could go to Godlewski Gym to have a photo taken by a professional photographer on stage with their diploma.
Thanks to the senior parents, each senior received a gift bag with 20 raffle tickets they could deposit into bags to win other gift items. There also was one door prize for each student to select.
As seniors left the gym through the Atrium, they picked up their personalized yard sign, which was displayed around the school grounds. The signs were made in-house by Trinity’s graphic design team.
The virtual baccalaureate Mass, celebrated by Father Thomas Haren at St. Monica Church on June 1, was also livestreamed on the parish website. Members of the Trinity staff served as readers and addressed the seniors after Communion.
The virtual graduation ceremony vide was shared on the school’s YouTube channel https://bit.ly/2LqZ1qO at 7 pm. June 2. It included the commencement address from senior Katherine Walsh; an invocation from Assistant Principal Bill Svoboda; and a reflection from math teacher John Kall who is retiring after 40 years. The accomplishments of each graduate were announced by Principal Linda Bacho. Each family created a video presenting the diploma to their graduate, so when Bacho finished each student’s accomplishments, the video of his/her diploma presentation was shown.
Bacho also announced teacher milestones and the THS Singers performed “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” and the alma mater.
The graduation ceremony video will remain permanently on the YouTube channel.
The senior prom took place on June 11 at Windows on the River, following safety guidelines.
A Senior Celebration is planned for the evening of July 8 at Windows on the River. Each graduate and two parents or guardians are invited to attend the event, which includes dinner.
Benedictine High School: A drive-in movie-style graduation for Benedictine High School seniors took place on May 27 at the school. It was open only to graduates and their families.
Abbot Gary Hoover celebrated the baccalaureate Mass virtually on May 21.
This year’s valedictorian was Stephen Zachlin. Top scholars were Andrew Booth and Ian LaForest.
Saint Joseph Academy: The single, in-person commencement ceremony/diploma ceremony was recorded May 18-20 and the video link was shared on the originally scheduled date for commencement, May 26. It included each graduate receiving her diploma along with the welcome address by Principal Jeff Sutliff, President Mary Ann Corrigan-Davis’ remarks as the commencement speaker, Scripture readings, blessing of the graduates by a Sister of the Congregation of St. Joseph, the student address and the traditional commencement music and songs.
Graduates and their families were invited to have a special viewing of this video and graduates were encouraged to wear their caps and gowns or to celebrate by sharing a special meal with their families. After the ceremony, graduates were encouraged to meet with their classmates virtually.
The traditional Walk of the Roses, which normally takes place as the graduates walk from the school to Our Lady of Angels Church for the commencement ceremony, was postponed to July 14 or a later, if necessary. School officials said they will follow guidelines from the Ohio Departments of Education and Health, but will hope that larger public gatherings may be allowed by that time.
Tree Night and the baccalaureate Mass were recorded with 10 or fewer people present and shared with graduates. The link was shared on May 20, the original date for those events. There also are plans to have an in-person version of those events if the Walk of the Roses can occur in July.
The Honors Convocation for all students to recognize academic and other achievements was scheduled for May 22. It was recorded and the video link was shared on May 22.
The prom and after-prom were rescheduled for July 9 at Windows on the River and Main Event. If safety guidelines can be observed, the events will proceed.
“We are so very proud of the class of 2020 and grateful for your resilience in these tumultuous times. We are committed to honor you, our graduates, and uphold the dignity of these traditions of Saint Joseph Academy, while still protecting the health and safety of the entire Academy community,” school officials said.