Class of 2020

Most years on graduation night, seniors and their loved ones would be gathering in the Thomas Fogarty gymnasium, reflecting on their memories at Roger Bacon and celebrating their achievements, together one last time. Like so much else this year, graduation for the Class of 2020 looked a little bit different. On June 3rd, seniors gathered in the parking lot, their cars decorated with balloons, banners, and well-wishes. They paraded through the school’s front circle, waving goodbye to teachers and staff one last time, before parking together at the Bron Bacevich Stadium. Instead of walking across the stage in the gym, graduates and their parents walked together to the stadium entrance to receive their diplomas. Cars honked in celebration as each name was called, each senior given one final moment in the spotlight.

Though separated physically, this year’s class will never be separated in spirit. While the last few months of their high school career included the heartbreak of missed spring sports seasons, prom, and other rites of passage, they have come together like perhaps no class ever has. They’ve stayed connected, kept each other’s spirits up, and never lost the true meaning of being Franciscan and being Spartans.

One final time, we would like to celebrate the ENTIRE Class of 2020. Every single one of these 112 seniors brought their own unique personalities, perspectives, and talents
to Roger Bacon. Every single one of them has left a mark on our school. Every single one of them has truly made RB a better place.

Whether competing on the field or court, performing on the stage, excelling in the classroom, or serving the community, the 112 students in the Class of 2020 have lived their high school years to the fullest. We have cheered with them in success, mourned with them in loss, supported them through challenges, and watched them grow.

In the words of Class President Annabelle Merz, “The amount of love this class shares is truly special. I feel so lucky that I’ve gotten to spend every day with 112 of my closest friends. It seems like just yesterday when we walked into school, nervous and overwhelmed, as we performed the fight song for the very first time. Roger Bacon has been our second home for the past four years. Because of that, we’ve seen each other grow up—we’ve become a family.”

The Class of 2020 will continue their education at colleges and universities around the state and across the country. Some of them will serve in the U.S. Military. Others will dedicate their first year out of high school to full-time community service. Some will enter the workforce. Many student athletes will continue to compete and improve their athletic talents at the college level. No matter their choices for the future, we know that each of these graduates will take the lessons and values they have learned at Roger Bacon into the world, making their colleges, workplaces, and communities better.

With the help of Local 12 WKRC, we have produced a 30-minute tribute to the Class of 2020. It includes speeches from the class valedictorian Jake Mumper, salutatorian Kelly Brenner, and president Anna Merz, along with a highlight reel featuring photos of each graduate and their plans for next year. Watch the tribute video here.

Roger Bacon is made up of many faces, different faces. We hope to showcase as wide a range of our Spartans as possible. If you would like to nominate a Spartan, past or present, to be featured as a Face of RB, please click here.