The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
‘They can get through anything’
Mercy Class of 2020 rolls with punches during drive-by celebration
MIDDLETOWN — The 130 young women who comprise Mercy High School’s class of 2020 filed past their alma mater Friday, queuing up in their vehicles for an unexpected reunion with their beloved instructors and others they haven’t seen for months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Several teachers admitted they have had one issue with distance learning — being unable to take part in the simple, day-to-day joy of interacting with their young charges in person.
President Sister Mary McCarthy teared up as she marveled at the great sense of community the Mercy family enjoys. “Everybody buys in to the mission of Mercy, which is to give the kids a formal education, but to treat them with special care, love and compassion. The girls appreciate the fact that we’re all in it together.”
Everyone was willing to pitch in to make this day of appreciation one like no other, she added. “The faculty
have been longing to get here,” she said, reflecting on the poignancy of the afternoon.
“It’s a testimony to their spirit of faith, to their spirit of being women of Mercy who come together in good times, and in the times that are not so good,” McCarthy said.
They were met with a surprise reception: smiling, waving teachers who honked their horns in excitement, complete with balloons, festively decorated vehicles, music and other revelry.
McCarthy, who has led the school for 45 years, is set to retire next month.
The event was held outdoors as students at this Catholic high school at 1740 Randolph Road, where the grads received their yearbooks, caps and gowns, as well as other possessions in a wide-open socially distanced setting.
“We are celebrating their accomplishments, because they have done so much,” said Melissa Bullock, dean of academics and technology, who sat in the trunk of her SUV, waving to passersby. Surrounding her were balloons, streamers, “2020” signs and other placards depicting “Peanuts” character Snoopy in a cap and gown accepting his diploma.
“We’re trying to give them all our positive energy and love as they go forward. We know they’re strong Mercy women and are going to do amazing things,” she said.
Class moderators placed the bags and contents of each student’s locker in either the back seat or trunk of her vehicle amid cheers, shouts, and a few emotional moments.
The class gift was a gold necklace with a bar pendant engraved with the longitude and latitude of the facility they spent the last four years attending.
“May the coordinates on this necklace always lead you to your second home, Mercy High School, where a smile, a hug, and a comfortable cup of tea will always be waiting. We love you and we’ll miss you,” the attached card
reads.
Lynn Curello is Mercy’s business technology teacher. “We didn’t get to say goodbye in the usual way,” she said. The school began virtual learning the day after classes moved online in mid-March.
It’s been nearly two months since everyone last gathered at the facility. “It’s very difficult. Seeing them on the computer screen is not the same as seeing them in person,” said Curello, who is retiring this summer.
“This is not how I thought it would be,” she said, choking up. “I’m just so happy to be here.”
Graduate Jaelena Rivera was overjoyed to see everyone, however briefly. It was bittersweet, since everyone was masked and had to maintain at least a six-foot distance from one another.
“I love coming together and seeing everyone. Seeing the teachers just makes me feel so happy. I miss everything that we’ve done in school,” Rivera said.
McCarthy was very pleased to see the grads take the entire situation in stride. “They do it with class and dignity — with humor thrown in. The girls know they’re loved.”
“I am so excited,” said Latin teacher Jessica Hall, who waved from outside her decorated vehicle on the bright, sunny day. “I’ve had so many of these girls — between history, English and Latin classes. To see them one more time — not through a screen — has been the best part of the last couple months.”
The young women swiftly adapted to a new style of learning.
“I know they’re going to be ultimately successful because, if they can get through this at 18, they can get through anything,” Hall said.
“It’s really touching. It’s so heartwarming to see all the teachers here wishing us the best,” said student Allison Tuttle. “I love the family support here. It’s very nice.”
During a very brief drivethrough commencement May 31, the students will be presented with their diplomas. A minigraduation will be conducted on the front steps of the facility. Speeches, the invocation and
Diocese of Norwich Bishop Michael Cote’s talk will be pre-recorded and shown later in a video.
“We’re trying to make it as special as we can, and also fun for them,” McCarthy said.
“You’re going to have other major events in your life, but you’re not going to get this one. It can feel like a letdown, but, at the same time, look at how different this is. Nobody else is going to be able to say this is what this was like,” Hall added.
“In 10, 20, maybe 100 years, we’ll look back on it and say if it’s not lucky, it’s that sense of we did something different. We made it happen and we didn’t lie down and let corona take our lives, we stood up for ourselves,” she added.