Never Underestimate the Class of 2020

The Aquinas Class of 2020 had an unforgettable year, a year no one expected, their senior year cut short due to Covid-19. Before online learning began the Class of 2020 picked this as their class verse,

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave or forsake you. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31:8

It is fitting that these seniors chose this scripture. They have missed out on many activities these last few months. However, due to the determination and talent of Aquinas faculty and staff the Class of 2020 were able to have a virtual graduation released on their original graduation date (May 17, 2020). Each senior was filmed before and the footage was compiled into a virtual graduation ceremony. Watch the virtual graduation here.

On June 1, the Class of 2020 were able to have a more formal ceremony with their family. This ceremony was not open to the public, but was streamed for family and friends to witness. Watch the graduation ceremony here.

The Class of 2020 has had an unpredictable senior year, but they persevered and finished their high school education. Never underestimate the Aquinas Class of 2020!

Online Learning... What We Learned 

When schools had to began teaching online all students, teachers, and parents were put to the test. A test no one studied for, yet passed with flying colors. This experience has revealed the strong partnership between the school and parents for one goal: to educate students. Perhaps we have not fully appreciated this partnership in the past. Now is the perfect time to look back and realize the strength of this partnership.

Mrs. Mayo, Middle School Science Teacher, was astounded with the parental support surrounding her final project assignment. " Thank you, parents. YOU are making such a difference in this experience."

Showing the different types of volcanoes (yummy)

Broadcasting Class  

	COVID-19 & Madrid, Spain

Mr. Tony Smith's Intro to Broadcasting Class is still in it's infancy, yet producing amazing material. This course was added only two years ago, to our career and technology course offerings. See other course offerings here. For their final Broadcasting Class, each student produced their own video and made an introduction to another student's work. Aquinas was blessed to have a foreign exchange student, Blanca Bravo, from Spain. She went home before the school year was complete, so we got to see a glimpse of how Covid-19 has affected her in Spain.

Keep up with this class and see all the final projects on the Aquinas Broadcasting YouTube Channel.

With all the uncertainty surrounding the school closures, one thing that hurt our students, faculty, and staff the most was missing our priests and daily Mass. Aquinas Chaplin, Fr. Ben Holdren wasn't afraid to do what was spiritually needed for our students and community. With the help of Fr. Ron Homes and Mr. Tony Smith daily Masses, Saturday Vigil Masses, and Sunday Masses were streamed online from the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel.