Despite the global pandemic, St. Pius X High School celebrated the Class of 2020 at a live-streamed Baccalaureate Mass on May 23 and a unique graduation ceremony on June 20.

Archbishop John C. Wester celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass for the graduating class from the St. Pius X chapel and broadcast over Facebook. Four graduates — Jasmine Rivera, Darcy Robinson, Mia Kroeter, and Logan Hooks — participated in the liturgy and represented the class at the Mass. The Mass presentation also included pre-recorded video of the SPX liturgical choir, situated in a socially distant manner singing from the Fine Arts auditorium, and of representatives from SPX’s 2019-2020 athletic, artistic and academic championship teams bringing forward their trophies to the altar.

Archbishop Wester focused his message to the class on unity. “(Because of the pandemic) there is that sense of separateness, that we can’t come together the way we’d like,” he said. “But at the same time there’s a deeper sense of unity than ever before. The graduating class of 2020 is more aware of the bonds that unite you than might have been the case. You might have taken it for granted. Now you’re in a position where you can really think about and reflect on what it means to be a part of a class. You’re more deeply aware of that unity. You have learned the importance of friendship, relationships and unity. I pray that idea will stay with you always.”

St. Pius X presented its salutatorian and valedictorian and broadcast their speeches over Facebook on June 19. Salutatorian Sean Pinon ruminated on the fact that the class had unknowingly experienced its last day of class and its last day with teachers and friends before spring break in March, but he expressed pride in his class’s resilience.

“Throughout these past four years, our class has developed into one of the most impassioned, resilient and now historic classes St. Pius has ever had,” he said.

Valedictorian Kayla Koory said she experienced support from family, friends and even strangers as a member of the Class of 2020. “It has been the wildest, most bizarre and anti-climactic ending we could experience,” she said. “(But) never have I ever seen as many people genuinely express their empathy and care for me as I have over the last couple of months. Going forward into the next chapter of our lives we are already stronger and have faced more challenging circumstances than a lot of other high school graduates. We won’t take for granted the ability to hug a friend, go to a party, or attend a class in an actual classroom.”

At 8 a.m. on June 20, graduates of the SPX Class of 2020 began their graduation ceremony, each assigned a specific time to arrive with their families by car at the circle drive at the campus entrance. Each graduate, dressed in cap and gown, exited their car to be announced and greeted by the ringing of the Alumni Bell, and stepped onto a stage to be congratulated by SPX Principal Barbara Rothweiler. Grads posed for pictures, switched their tassels and received a diploma, traditional flowers to present to their parents, and their senior t-shirt. They also received the traditional SPX Foundation and Alumni Association class gift, this year a Class of 2020 blanket. They then returned to their car with their families to drive away from campus.

SPX Activities Director Jeff Turcotte and the entire administration worked to create a fitting way to celebrate the Class of 2020 during the societal shutdowns enacted in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Each year I personally strive to make graduation a personal gift to our graduates; I always want them to be amazing,” Turcotte said. “This year has proven to be a historic challenge. I can tell you we have done all we can within the law to honor the Class of 2020.”