Honoring Tradition in a Pandemic

The Academy of the Holy Names has 139 years of rich tradition that has continually evolved, but no one anticipated how quickly the administration would have to adapt graduation traditions for the Class of 2020. As the coronavirus pandemic hit and the realization struck that the typical end-of-year festivities would not take place, Academy’s administration brainstormed innovative ways to celebrate the senior and 8th-grade graduates while following social distancing guidelines.

The seniors completed their final day of classes on May 1. A day on which they usually decorate their uniforms with their chosen college, run through the halls and jump in the pool, ending with a pool party. Instead, the Academy planned a car parade for the graduates. Seniors decked out their cars with paint, balloons, and college colors and regalia; they even wore decorated school uniforms. They drove several loops around campus, honking their car horns the whole way. Proud parents, siblings, and AHN faculty and staff made signs and cheered on the Class of 2020 during this special send-off. A couple weeks later, AHN’s 8th-grade class participated in a car parade as well. Parents drove as the students waved to family, friends and the teachers they’ve had over their years at AHN.

The week of May 4 was designated as “Celebration Week” for the high school seniors and 8th-graders, and another creative plan was devised. Academy’s administration chartered a bus and surprised the graduates at their homes. AHN President Art Raimo, High School Principal Stephanie Nitchals, Sister Mary Glavin and several other high school faculty members presented the girls with caps and gowns, honors cords, yard signs, letters from teachers, and of course, a red rose. The seniors signed the side of the bus and left messages for their sisters.

Madeleine Gallagher A’20 felt heartbroken that the end of her senior year was not like she imagined it would be as a freshman, but she says the Academy went above and beyond to make her and her classmates feel special. “I’ve watched many of my friends be celebrated by their schools in different ways, but I did not see

a huge bus arrive at their homes with several faculty members to surprise them as AHN did. When I saw this, my heart was so happy that I was able to say goodbye one last time to some of my favorite faculty members. I was able to sign my name on the outside of the bus and even received a rose, in typical Academy fashion, as well as a large gift filled with several goodies. It was a day I will never forget and something that I will be eternally grateful for. “

After stopping by the homes of more than 100 seniors over three days, it was time to visit the 8th-graders. President Raimo, Elementary School Principal Bridgid Fishman and the 8th-grade teachers spent the next two days delivering goodies to the homes of their graduates, who also added their names and messages to the bus.

From Parrish to Zephyrhills and Plant City to St. Petersburg, the “Grad Bus” trekked 1,158 miles and traveled through more than 20 zip codes around the Tampa Bay area. It took five full eighthour days to visit the homes of the graduates, but every minute was worth it to see the joy and excitement on the students’ faces. Though nothing can replace physically being with your classmates, teachers and family members to experience these special rites of passage, the Academy strived to honor the Class of 2020 in the best ways possible during these unprecedented times.

Read a Tampa Bay Times article about this special senior send-off. Check out WFLA News Channel 8’s “Something Good” segment showcasing our car parade and graduation bus.