Class of 2020 Celebrations

The Class of 2020 graduated in the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Made possible by school leadership, each graduate received a meaningful individual diploma conferral to mark this accomplishment, but a larger in-person celebration wasn’t allowed by the Department of Public Health. President Ann Marie Krejcarek and the division heads made a promise in May of 2020 which they intended to keep.

On December 20, the high school Class of 2020 was finally able to gather together, in person, to reunite and celebrate. Rachel Simpson, division head of Convent High School reflected, “It was wonderful to finally host a gathering for the Class of 2020. As graduates during the first wave of the pandemic, this class experienced multiple pivots and disappointments, including the individualized diploma conferrals and the long postponement of their August 2020 class celebration because the prohibition of gatherings was still in effect. Therefore, being able to finally deliver on our promise to honor the Class of 2020 and celebrate them in person remained a high priority.” 

A highlight to the evening’s event was the location. “We were delighted to be able to honor this class by gathering them in our newly renovated Little Theater as part of the event,” said Tony Farrell, division head of Stuart Hall High School. Andrew Dolan ‘20, a sophomore at Villanova studying civil engineering, reflected on the space, “I remember sitting on that floor as a kindergartener looking up at the eighth graders thinking they were so much older than I was, yet here we are as alumni of Convent & Stuart Hall, getting a first look at the school’s newest and incredibly well-done space.”

Gabriella (Gabby) Vulakh '20, a sophomore at Brown University studying neuroscience on the premed track, was also happy to return. “It was so special to be back on campus. Seeing the Main Hall decorated for the holidays and spending time with classmates brought back many cherished memories from my four years at Convent. It was very thoughtful of the school to host this celebration for our class and remind us that we are still part of the Sacred Heart community no matter how far we go to college or how long we are away.” 

Convent & Stuart Hall was also able to honor the eighth grade Class of 2020 at a similar event the week prior.