Badin High School will celebrate “Senior Month” as the school honors the members of the Class of 2020 in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is such an important time for the seniors, even as we deal with this unprecedented time in our lives,” Badin Principal Brian Pendergest said. “Our administrative team worked hard to come up with some creative ideas that will make this a special memory for the Class of 2020. Our seniors didn’t ask for this, but they have done a tremendous job dealing with it.”

The highlight of the month will be the “Senior Parade” on Wednesday, May 13, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Seniors have been asked to decorate their cars, put their names on them, and then they will drive through the front circle driveway at Badin and up into the parking lot. While no one will exit their cars, there will be various stops along the way to pick up some special gifts, including their graduation cap and gown.

Only parents may accompany seniors on the night of the drive-through. Facial coverings are required. Student arrival times are based on the alphabet in 30-minute intervals for traffic control purposes. Badin is located on New London Road in Hamilton, next to Potter Park Golf Course on the west side of the Great Miami River.

“This will be fun and festive and still adhere to the state’s social distancing guidelines,” said Gina Helms, Badin’s director of Campus Ministry. “The year is not ending for the seniors the way it typically does, but they certainly deserve to be celebrated. They’ve brought so many gifts and talents to Badin over the last four years.”

Each Wednesday of the month will be a day for the seniors.

On Wednesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. Badin will have the second annual “Ring Pop” Ceremony that was a big hit with seniors in 2019. Faculty members and members of the junior class made positive comments about each senior during an assembly, and – instead of a class ring – each senior was given a “ring pop.” This will be done “virtually” in 2020.

On Wednesday, May 20, at 6 p.m. will be the annual Senior Mass. This is always a memorable event because it is the final all-school Mass for the senior class, who process in dressed in cap and gown. This year’s Mass will be done “virtually” from Mulcahey Gym at Badin, with the school’s chaplain, Father Ed Pratt, celebrating. There will also be student speakers and two major awards presented following the Mass – the Sister Dorothy Stang Service Award and the Spirit of St. Julie Billiart Award. Again, appropriate social distancing guidelines will be observed.

On Wednesday, May 27, there will be the Senior Media Blitz. Special videos and photos of members of the Class of 2020 will be shared with them through their email address as well as through social media so that they can enjoy with family and friends.

While May is typically a month to highlight seniors, it is also a month to showcase the entire school in various ways.

Some other key dates include:

Thursday, May 7 – the Virtual Art Show to highlight the various artistic creations of BHS students.
Thursday, May 14 – the Virtual Spring Music Concert, hosted by Mr. Matt McCormick and Mrs. Elaina McCormick and the Badin Rocks Ensemble.
Tuesday, May 19 – the Virtual Badin Academic Awards Night, highlighting the academic success of the students during the 2019-20 school year.
Still “to be determined” is the Class of 2020 Top Ten recognition.
The last day for classes for seniors is Friday, May 15. The last day for underclassmen is Tuesday, May 19. Underclass exams will take place May 20-22.

Pendergest underlined his appreciation for all concerned.

“I want to thank and compliment all of the faculty and students for their efforts during this very difficult time,” he said. “Faculty had just a few days to turn their in-school lessons into on-line instruction, and the students had to adjust as well. Our teachers have shown so much creativity in the last six weeks, and our students did their best to respond to these challenging circumstances.

“I think that all involved would say that we miss the in-school experience – the teaching, the camaraderie, the activities, the daily give-and-take. Those are the things that make the school experience so valuable and so memorable. Those are the things that all of us look forward to returning to as soon as we can safely do so.”