Celebration of Seniors

Celebrating our Seniors class of 2020

Friday, May 22, 2020 should have been the 90th Commencement Exercises at Our Lady of Victory Basilica, but it wasn’t. The Corona Virus Pandemic would not allow for us to gather in any traditional way to honor our graduates. In an effort to recognize the accomplishments of the Class of 2020 while still adhering to social distancing, Fr. Michael, President of St. Francis announced a plan to “Celebrate our Seniors”.

The Gacioch Family Athletic Center and Polian Family Field provided enough space to safely conduct the celebration. The 3

hour event allowed for each graduate and his family to walk onto the field with Pomp and Circumstance playing in the background. Mr. Steve Otremba’90 announced each graduate as he took his place with his parents for a photo at center field with his name displayed on the scoreboard in the background. Faculty and staff cheered and congratulated seniors as they made their way off the field.

Dr. Mary Lou Stahl, Assistant Principal, handled the logistics of the event which went off without a hitch, the rain even held off until after the last senior was recognized. Each student was given a gift bag which included a class of 2020 mask.

Why not just consider this Graduation? Mr. Thomas Braunscheidel, Principal said that “The seniors deserve more than this, they deserve the tradition of Commencement at the Basilica, they’ve earned it.” At the time we could only hope and pray that the boys would get the traditional sendoff at the Basilica that they had earned.

4129 Lake Shore road • hamburg, NY 14075-0185

www.StfraNciShigh.org

attention: all sFHs alumni…

Throughout the 2020-2021 school year St. Francis High School’s Institutional Advancement Office will be asking you to verify/update your information. This will include your address, email and preferred phone number. We will not be using an outside company for this endeavor nor will we be contacting you by phone. The requests to update your information will come via traditional mail, email and social media invitations. As always, St. Francis High School will never share your personal information with any third party and only use the information to communicate with you regarding St. Francis High School. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Paul Bartell ’88, Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations at (716) 627-1200 ext. 465 or bartellp@stfrancishigh.org.

alumni news & notes

Please forward any alumni news to: Paul Bartell ’88 St. Francis High School, 4129 Lake Shore Rd., Hamburg, NY 14075 or email Paul Bartell at: bartellp@stfrancishigh.org