The final day of Oak Knoll’s unprecedented virtual spring semester due to COVID-19, concluded June 5, 2020, via a live YouTube video recognizing dozens of students at the annual Upper School Awards Ceremony. Students were celebrated for achievement in academics, the performing and creative arts, athletics and more.

Addressing fellow students, parents, faculty, staff and administrators during the ceremony was Class of 2020 Salutatorian Faith Bulan ’20 who relates to the wisdom and life lessons exhibited by the character Uncle Iroh from the television show “Avatar, The Last Airbender.”

“Uncle Iroh said that, ‘you must never give into despair – allow yourself to slip down that road and you surrender to your lowest instincts in the darkest times. Hope is something you give yourself that is the meaning of inner strength,’” she said.

Bulan said that although her class has certainly confronted challenges before 2020, they are living in a time that is radically different than how they lived before, and they must act on what they do have, and stay strong.

“To the Class of 2020, you inspire me every day, and when I look at my grade, I see an incredibly talented group of young women of promise,” she said. “We are amazing artists, singers, athletes and students. I see members of the Class of 2020 writing movies that break box-office records, becoming famous theologians, becoming lead journalists on the biggest news stations, starring in Broadway plays, and curing brain diseases. I know that we – as a class and a generation – can truly accomplish anything we put our minds to.”

Valedictorian Caroline Hall ’20 will address her classmates, their families, faculty and staff during Oak Knoll’s 92nd in-person commencement ceremony on July 29, 2020.

Oak Knoll held a senior drive-thru parade on campus Sunday, June 7, 2020 at 11 a.m., where students received their diplomas and Holy Child medals as a sign and reminder of the legacy and heritage of Holy Child Founder, Cornelia Connelly, as well as the impact of their Holy Child education that will follow them throughout their lives.

Recipients of Oak Knoll’s all-school awards include:

Connelly Scholar Award
Cara Dolan ‘24
Julia Szymanski ‘24
Rory Weldon ‘24
Katie MacMaster Award
Maeve McTernan ’24
Brigid Gibbons Award
Leticia Sefia ’21
Student Council Award
Elsa Maurizi ’20
Holy Child Spirit Award
Olivia Gaston ’20
Sr. Elizabeth Barber Award
Elsa Maurizi ’20
Dr. Yvonne Imbleau Award
Mary Margaret Schroeder ’20

For a full description of each award, click here.

Ten senior “lifers” were also recognized for having attended Oak Knoll since kindergarten, including, Emily Antunes, Faith Bulan, Kylie Gall, Haley Hariri, Anna Jeffries, Elsa Maurizi, Mabel McNamara, Bridget Murphy, Mary Margaret Schroeder and Grace Treanor.

Oak Knoll senior athletes and artists were also recognized virtually this week for their accomplishments.

“The class of 2020 is an extraordinary one and we are so very proud that you are our seniors,” said Jennifer G. Landis, Associate Head of School/Upper School Division Head. “As a class, you have made many things possible even in the face of adversity and uncertainty. You have been instrumental in maintaining our sense of community and connectedness during these unprecedented times.”

Congratulations to the Class of 2020 as well as all of our Upper School students!