Car Parade Through McAuley Parking Lot Will Celebrate 2020 Grads

CHICAGO — A car parade through the Mother McAuley High School parking lot Friday morning, May 8 will celebrate and honor the class of 2020 since a traditional graduation ceremony won't be possible due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic this year. Members of this year's senior class will begin lining up in their cars near the school auditorium and parade through the parking lot west of the school from 10 a.m. until noon, school officials said. The cars will exit the parade route onto 99th Street and all social distancing protocols will be followed the entire time.

"We felt that it was only right to provide our senior class with one more opportunity to feel and experience that contagious Mighty Mac spirit that they are missing so dearly," said Meg Gardner, dean of upperclasswomen at Mother McAuley.

The car parade, dubbed "Mac Together Again," Gardner said is a result of countless emails from the seniors expressing how much they miss their daily interactions with the faculty and staff, the energy and excitement at school events and "the sense of family that permeates our hallways."

"At McAuley, we understand that student connectedness leads to a strong school culture and a positive environment where our students can become the best versions of themselves," Gardner said. "This class specifically is filled with incredible young women who are wonderful examples of our school community and mission."

The parade will feature a set route and two stations where students will stop and receive graduation items. Each student will open her trunk and her items will be placed inside by a faculty member. Students will be required to stay in their cars the entire time and no personal contact of any kind is allowed.

Among the items the seniors will receive will be a care package containing a McAuley cookie, sunglasses, Class of 2020 bracelet and other items. Students will also receive a graduation lawn sign and an oversized image of their headshot.

Faculty and staff members will be social distanced and in masks along the parking lot parade route while cheering the students as they drive through the lot.

The route will not extend into the nearby neighborhoods that border the school in Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn or Mount Greenwood.