Page 19 - Priorities #74

When the Class of 2020 looks back at their graduation experience, they are going to have very different memories than most of their fellow Priory alumni. With the Covid-19 pandemic, a traditional graduation was not going to be an option for the Class of 2020. As students honestly asked, “Are we going to have a Zoom graduation?”, Priory administrators and a Senior Task Force made up of Senior parents worked together to create a one of a kind vehicle based graduation that was allowable by county guidelines.
As details started to take shape on what the graduation would entail, Assistant Head of Upper School Micah Morris held weekly Zoom meetings with both the Class of 2020 students and parents to give updates and instructions on what was going to take place. The smallest details were discussed in an effort to ensure that the class had an amazing and genuine graduation ceremony.
The graduation week started off with students coming to campus in scheduled time slots to ensure social distancing. As each student arrived
near the monastery, they were greeted by cheers and waving faculty and staff
who had volunteered in shifts to welcome them back to campus for the first
time in two months. Students took fun photos with props they had brought
and they felt represented them. Props varied from sports equipment, stuffed animals, tools, and several adorable pets. The students were then told about
a new tradition, started just for the Class of 2020. The monastery bell which
has been visible in front of the monastery for decades had been fully restored
and was now dedicated to the Class of 2020. The students were told that whenever they returned to campus, they and only the Class of 2020 alumni, were allowed to ring the monastery bell for all to hear. The students then joyfully rang the bell for the first time and then picked up a small class candle and a package containing their cap and gown, graduation announcements, class mug, and a car decorating kit.
Over the next few days, students would have normally left for their senior retreat, but again the Class of 2020 would not be able to partake in the traditional retreat, so Campus Minister Molly Buccola improvised. With the help of senior class moderator Yvonne Faisal, Ms. Buccola created a 24 hour retreat that would be a hybrid of Zoom interactions and on campus activities in scheduled time frames. Students even performed the first ever class candle ceremony over Zoom with their small class
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Finally as a fitting close to his 30 year tenure at Priory, Head of School Tim Molak, gave the commencement address. “I will be driving out–leaving the Priory for the last time as Head of School but also joining all of you as an alum.”
US GRADUATION