Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Alex Romanauskas, a 1990 Bishop Guertin graduate, and his son, Rowan, a sophomore, play a game of chess while waiting for Guertin's unique 2020 commencement to begin Sunday night. Among the grads was their son and brother, Gabriel Romanauskas.

NASHUA – A stiff breeze more typical of the end of March than the end of May didn’t come close to chilling the spirits of hundreds of Bishop Guertin High School seniors and their families Sunday night – heck, what’s a few gusts of wind compared to undertaking the mammoth challenge of graduating hundreds seniors in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Those in charge of organizing the 2020 edition of BG’s annual springtime ritual more than met that challenge, putting together over the past several weeks a pandemic-compliant celebration that will certainly go down in the annals of the Catholic high school’s history as the most creative commencement yet.

Typically held in “The Colligidome,” the school’s gym named for the late longtime principal Brother John Louis Collignon, this year’s 54th commencement exercises were moved to the parking lots behind the gym and the Roedel Fieldhouse.

There, graduates’ family members were directed to park their vehicles all facing the back wall, which served as the “screen” for the photos and videos recorded earlier.

Grads and their guests, all wearing face masks and mindful of social distancing, chatted, listened to music and otherwise busied themselves leading up to the start time.

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Bishop Guertin grads and their families sat in their cars, drive-in theater style, to watch the previously recorded video of this year's unique graduation.

Pretty much all the speeches and presentations that in previous years took place on the gym stage were shown in video form on the wall.

Included were remarks by principal Jason Strniste and president Linda Brodeur briefly addressed the grads via video, while Ron Cote, dean of student formation, and Brenda Poznanski, director of school counseling and admission, took turns reading off the graduates’ names, as photos of each one appeared.

Valedictorian Claire Reynolds in her address recalled the day “many of us arrived in the Bishop Guertin community as young, intimidated freshman.”

With only “high school musical movies” as a guide for what to expect, Reynolds said “most of us learned they were not entirely accurate … people didn’t dance up and down the hallways ways or break into song in classrooms.”

But what the movies “did get right were the lasting relationships and memories that we were fortunate to create at 194 Lund Road,” Reynolds said, referring to the school’s address.

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Gabriel Romanauskas found the ideal vantage point from which to watch the video of Guertin's commencement Sunday night.

“We entered the nest as baby cardinals, recently hatched from our individual middle school experiences and eager to begin our growth in high school.”

Reynolds paid tribute to “essential workers” for their “bravery and determination” during the pandemic, and said her “heart goes out to families who have been affected … .”

She also urged her fellow grads to “never under appreciate the value of a moment … take the time to smile at that stranger in the elevator, to hold the door for the person behind you, to handwrite a thank you letter.”

Reynolds used as an example the day word came down that the school would be closing due to the emerging pandemic.

“Little did I know on the morning of March 12 that it would be the last time I would go to classes in person at BG,” she said. “Had I known, I would have appreciated every single moment, remembered each individual class, and said my personal goodbyes.”

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Bishop Guertin graduates posed for photos next to a decked-out vehicle while awaiting the start of Guertin's unique commencement Sunday night.

Salutatorian Arya Patel told his fellow graduates how grateful he is for the “mutual support” that went a long way to “overcome most of the challenges we faced” and “excel in new classes.”

Each grade presented its own set of challenges, Patel said, but senior year came with their biggest challenges “we would have to face thus far,” including “our first global pandemic.”

But although the restrictions put in place “caused abrupt changes in what we expected” to find in their senior year, “we stepped up in the virtual classroom, engaged over online media, and we accepted the challenge to become community leaders.”

Of the list of academic, athletic and other awards presented before or during graduation each year, six are considered the “major awards.”

• Bishop Guertin Alumni Scholarship Award

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Parents grabbed photos and videos of their sons and daughters while awaiting the start of Bishop Guertin's unique graduation Sunday night.

“Presented to students who have made significant and positive contributions to Bishop Guertin.” Recipients: Jenna Chadbourne, Alexa Conceicao, Elizabeth Ross and Chloe Tardif.

• Cornerstone Award

“Honors a student who is foundational to the school, its clubs and activities, who in fact, represents the values of the school both in word and in deed.” Recipient: Swetha Donepudi.

• Senior Award

Student who “exemplifies the qualities of leadership through all activities.” Recipient: Athanasia Theofilopoulos.

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Many cars and trucks assembled drive-in-theater style for Guertin's unique graduation Sunday night were elaborately decorated in a range of themes.

• Thomas Sullivan Memorial Scholar-Athlete Awards

“Presented to one male and one female senior who (represent) the commendable and enviable combination of outstanding scholars and fine athletes.” Recipients: Ethan Holt and Caroline Towle.

• Larry Elliott Loyalty Award

“Given in loving memory of Larry Elliott, a friend and benefactor of the school. It is presented to a senior whose dedication and loyalty to Guertin cannot be adequately expressed in words. This senior is chosen by the faculty and staff and exemplifies dedication and loyalty through both curricular and co-curricular activities. This award includes a scholarship.” Due to a tie in voting, there are two recipients: Nicholas Connerty and Aidan Johnson.

• All-Guertin Award

“Presented in memory of Joseph P. Lebrecque, the award is the most prestigious offered to a senior. It is awarded to a student who enjoys the respect of the entire school community. This senior is an outstanding student who is dedicated to learning, has participated in interscholastic activities, and has given service to the school and community. Presented with this award is the Stephen J. Boland ’86 Memorial Scholarship, granted in his memory.” Recipient: Joseph Lupo.

Said Reynolds, the valedictorian: “Although our graduation may not have been the way we envisioned, it will certainly be a memorable experience.

“The graduating class of 2020 is truly unique and will be written about in history books.”

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Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP A group of 2020 Bishop Guertin graduates hang out listening to music in a pickup truck before the start of Guertin's unique commencement Sunday night.

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP The senior class video plays on the "screen" – the rear wall of the fieldhouse – during Bishop Guertin's unique graduation Sunday night.