After months of planning, the ceremony took place on the same date and time it was originally scheduled. The event was primarily live with some video features, most movingly, a film of the students marching down the hill in their saddles shoes wearing their cap and gowns as well as a nostalgic montage video to the song "Home" by Philip Philipps.
Mary Alice Lucey O'Malley (Distinguished benefactor and Alumna '60) provided the commencement address. Her resounding message to the Class of 2020 was to "take pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go." For more on Mrs. O'Malley's inspirational words and historical gift to SJHA you can read on here.
Additional speakers included Sister Mary Coffelt (SJHA President), Emilie Tristano (Salutatorian and Bucknell University '24), and Veronica Arciprete (Valedictorian and Princeton University '24). Principal Maria Molluzzo conducted a presentation of the graduates and academic awards. Every graduating student was spotlighted in their homes for a special live moment of recognition. Kerry Sullivan (SJHA Director of College Counseling and Alumna '81) presented Honors and Awards. And all participants joined in for a closing rendition of the Alma Mater.
You can watch the entire live-streamed event online and check out the impressive list of colleges and majors the Class of 2020 have chosen.
The virtual graduation ceremony was also the culmination of a thoughtfully orchestrated week of events for the Hill Class of 2020. From May 21st through June 8th, the graduates participated in the following, mostly virtual, events for a heartfelt Hill Graduation experience. We hope it was a bright light for our students amidst this year's convergence of crises.
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Hill's Iconic Graduation Walk
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The virtual commencement week began on May 21-22nd when seniors came back to Hill in small friend groups of no more than 10 wearing their uniforms for the last time. The girls signed a banner, donned their caps, gowns, gloves and, with their saddle shoes, masks and social distancing marched up the Hill to Pomp and Circumstance. It was an emotional and heartfelt kickoff to the week. Check out photos from the day.
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Senior Retreat and Virtual Sleepover
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 Between May 27-29th Hill Seniors participated in a virtual Senior Retreat, Airbands competition (which they won!), and Senior Sleepover.
The Seniors were logged into Zoom until the wee hours of the morning along with Mrs. Molluzzo, Mrs. Sullivan, and a number of faculty members.
The camaraderie between the Class of 2020 was stronger than ever.
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Virtual Graduation Mass and Honors & Awards Ceremony
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On the day before graduation, Seniors were sent a link to a filmed Graduation Mass with celebrant Bishop Whalen. This was followed by the graduate induction as our students became alumnae. The Honors & Awards ceremony took place on Zoom following the Mass and acknowledged the outstanding efforts on the part of the Class of 2020 with national, regional, and local organizations, and awards and scholarships from generous donors to SJHA were presented.
On June 8th, students took a photo on stage at school while receiving their diplomas.
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For more on the Class of 2020
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