Kearns-St. Ann School holds drive-by graduation

Friday, May. 29, 2020

SALT LAKE CITY — Kearns-St. Ann School celebrated its eighth-grade graduates with a drive-by graduation parade on May 22 in place of the traditional ceremony, which was canceled due to pandemic restrictions.

That Friday evening, the seven graduates, wearing their caps and gowns, and their families drove into the school’s circular drive, which was lined with balloons. Teachers and staff were positioned on the front steps and in the driveway to cheer the graduates as they came past. 

Each vehicle was blessed by Father Omar Ontiveros, pastor of St. Ann Parish. Then the graduates received their diplomas, yearbook, a graduate book and balloons from Principal Susan Nakaba.

This year’s valedictorian is Alex Luna Cruz, who has been a student at the school since third grade. As valedictorian, Alex received a $1,000 tuition gift certificate to Judge Memorial Catholic High School. 

The tuition certificate was donated by Judge for KSA’s November Auction & Gala. Charles Miller, the grade school’s physical education and eighth-grade homeroom teacher, purchased the certificate to present to the school’s 2020 valedictorian.

 “Our 2020 KSA graduates are very special and unique,” Nakaba said. “All are going to Catholic high schools. As they carry forth our teachings and dreams, we wish them to know KSA will always be a home and resource for them.”

The seven Kearns-St. Ann graduates are Alex Luna Cruz, Jared Benavides, V. Daniel Gomez, Joanna Juarez, Anywan Kuang, Christian Martinez and Joshua Mendoza. Each has been highlighted individually on the school’s Facebook page.

Joshua Mendoza expressed gratitude for the drive-by graduation.

“it’s kind of out of the ordinary,” he said of the experience. “It’s a lot of work to set it up, and I appreciate everything they do for us.”

 “With the situation being what it is, this is something, and we have to be thankful for it,” said his mother, Maira Mendoza. ”Some other people are going through harder things and we are just having a limited celebration; I think it’s good enough for how things are.”

These seven eight-graders, along with 13 CCD students, will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation from Fr. Ontiveros at the Sunday, May 31, 11 a.m. Mass at St. Ann Catholic Church.