A train of cars led by a big yellow bus and a small white bus filled with Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School faculty recently rolled through neighborhoods throughout the River Region delivering yard signs to recognize each of the 80 members of the senior class. The students, who have been at home for distance learning since March, have missed out on several spring events that recognize seniors and their achievements in academics, sports, and clubs. While yards signs have been popping up for seniors from schools all around the area, the faculty at Montgomery Catholic felt that their students deserved a little bit more than just having a sign planted in the yard—the Class of 2020 needed to know that they are each individually loved and missed by their teachers and administrators.
While handshakes and hugs are not permitted during this time of social distancing, the enthusiastic teachers brought cowbells, air horns, and even vuvuzelas to make lots of noise and cheer for their students. Amid the commotion, there were plenty of tears shed from happiness and surprise at the sweet gesture.
“We went out to honor and celebrate these seniors whose traditional senior experiences have been so dramatically altered by Covid-19,” said English teacher Sinead Turner. “I think we were surprised by how many happy tears were shed by students and teachers alike. This has been a special group of seniors.”
The students and their families shared in the excitement, and parents were especially grateful for the added fanfare in this unusually difficult coda to their students’ high school careers. And while this was not the typical sendoff that the students would have had during their Senior Day festivities, the effect on each student was similar.
“This was the most surreal experience,” said senior Anna Sadie. “The teachers went above and beyond any expectations to make this day so special for us. I could not hold back my happy tears seeing everyone!”
Montgomery Catholic will hold commencement exercises for the Class of 2020 on Monday, June 22 with special guest Thomas J. Rodi, Archbishop of Mobile. Their original graduation date was May 19, but due to restrictions of campuses facilities in response to the Covid-19 outbreak in Alabama, all events that were to take place during the 2019-2020 school year were cancelled or rescheduled.
