May 9: Senior Checkout & Graduation update from our Principal, Jacob Horne
Senior Checkout & Graduation
Dear Senior Parents,
To say this last quarter has been a whirlwind would be an understatement. Well, we are now one week out from the end of the 2019-20SY. The next event is senior checkout, which is Monday, 5/11. We have divided the cadets alphabetically by last name. Please see when your son is asked to complete his checkout (2020 Senior Checkout Times.pdf). If your son cannot make his assigned window, we have built in time for him to come back in the afternoon. The following will be required areas for completion:
- Student Account Clearing
- Athletic uniform/equipment return
- JROTC Uniform Turn-in (dry cleaned or $20, and we will dry clean it this summer)
- Parking Tag Return ($20 lost tag fee)
- National Honor Society stoles pickup
- Final transcript confirmation
- Locker clearing
Graduation
The results of your survey indicated that you desire our graduation venue to be the Cathedral Basilca of St. John the Baptist, so that is where we will be on Sunday, May 17th. We should have expected your desires, as it is the closest thing to what your sons would have experienced under normal conditions. We are so fortunate that Father Schreck will allow us to proceed and for all of Deacon Dewain Smith's (former BC Theology chair) assistance with planning.
You will be allowed a total of 6 guests (plus your cadet). Families will proceed one at a time. This will ensure that we are following all social distancing protocols. In the Cathedral, waiting at the altar will be Fr. Frank, Mr. Steve Salter, and me. As a gift to you, we have paid Mr. Salter to release all pictures so that you will have professional pictures of this important moment. In addition, this event will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person. Furthermore, we have paid Mr. Dave Moon who will have cameras set up around the Cathedral to capture your family's moments on video. He will then splice it all together so that a video of the entire class is available along with the speeches by the Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Fr. Frank, me, and the guest speaker.
Attached (2019-20 Graduation Times.pdf) is the assigned time for your cadet to be prepared to proceed up the aisle of the Cathedral. With that being said, we recommend you arrive to the Cathedral 15 minutes early to ensure that we are able to efficiently execute our plan to allow each family time to enjoy their son's well-earned moment of accomplishment. The beginning of the event will occur at the main entrance (far right Harris Street door). Families will be allowed to enter once the cadet is present with his family members. You will then be escorted to the middle aisle. Just before the Baptismal Font, one of our Benedictine monks will give your family a blessing. Mr. Newman will announce your son's name and that will be your cue to walk up the aisle. Upon approaching the altar steps, please remain in the aisle and allow your son to walk up to the altar to receive his diploma from us and to get his picture taken by Mr. Salter. You will then proceed down the reconciliation (left-hand facing into the Cathedral) aisle. As you process out, we have another surprise for you and your graduate.
Please know that as excited as we are to see your sons again in person, we also understand that there may still be pain. Only a few graduating classes in our 118 year history have had to endure something similar to this situation. We love your sons and you all. We would give anything to have your son's final quarter at Benedictine to be the best one yet. The BC Alumni Association is planning a grand get-together for the entire class once we do make it out of the COVID-19 scare.
God bless, and thank you again for choosing Benedictine Military School. We look forward to celebrating your son on Sunday, May 17th!
Sincerely,
Jacob Horne
Principal
