SCA families drive in for belated graduation

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the faculty and staff at St. Cecilia Academy to get creative in planning the commencement exercises for the Class of 2020. Although graduation was delayed by the pandemic, the 62 newest alumni finally received their diplomas on Saturday, July 11, as their families watched from their cars arrayed like a drive-in theater in an open field on the Dominican Campus. Penelope Herrero-Marques, a graduate of St. Matthew School who will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall, was honored as the class valedictorian. Shelby Mryncza, a graduate of St. Henry School who will attend Rhodes College in Memphis, was honored as the class salutatorian. Rosie Robinson, a graduate of Overbrook School, was named this year’s St. Cecilia Girl in recognition of the senior who best exemplifies the ideals of the school. She will attend the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. The Class of 2020 has been accepted at 157 colleges in 34 states and three foreign countries and were offered $13.1 million dollars in merit aid awards. The new graduates will attend 42 colleges and universities in 21 states from San Diego to Boston.