Saint Stephen’s celebrated its 69 graduating seniors with a unique drive-through commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 23. With traditional graduation exercises cancelled because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, SSES invited the members of the Class of 2020 and their families to drive through the Upper School parking lot where the seniors – in cap and gown – collected their diplomas and had a photograph taken while “Pomp and Circumstance” blared through speakers. The school was decorated with banners featuring photos of each senior. It was an atypical but fitting way to celebrate the close of the most unusual school year in SSES history.

Class of 2020 highlights:

• Three graduates are National Merit Scholarship finalists; one is a National Hispanic Scholar
• Of the graduates who identified a first-choice college, 77% were accepted to that school
• Four graduates were awarded their university’s top-level academic scholarship, paying full tuition plus research and/or study abroad grants
• Nine graduates were offered Honors College/leadership programs, including merit scholarships, research, travel and enhanced academic opportunities
• Nine graduates were recruited to play intercollegiate sports: football, golf, sailing, swimming, tennis and track