As the school year comes to an end, freshmen, sophomores, juniors and faculty gather over zoom for a final all school assembly to celebrate Prize Day.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the class chairs of each grade read out the names of every girl to celebrate their completion of an academic year. Usually, faculty gives students flower crowns to signify their completion, but because of the shift to online the school instead requested that girls create their own crowns or display a virtual flower background. 

“It was really nice to see everyone together,” sophomore grade chair Jordan Lewis said. “We haven’t been able to gather as much as we should have this spring, but it was special that we were able to continue to participate in our Sacred Heart traditions.”

This is the 133rd annual prize day ceremony which features awards in every subject in every grade. 

“I appreciated how many awards there were,” sophomore Ella Plotinsky said. “The large variety of awards allowed more girls to get recognized. I think it helps a lot of students feel acknowledged for their hard work and extra effort by the school.”

Gathering as a whole community to celebrate Sacred Heart traditions brings a feeling of normalcy according to junior Cristina Jackson. 

“Since Kindergarten, every one of my years has ended with Prize Day,” Jackson said. “Getting to experience it today, even virtually, gave me the closure for this year I wasn’t sure I was going to get.”

Some of the departing faculty had a chance to say their final words as teachers to the gathered community. The moment was bittersweet according to Lewis. 

“I’ve taught here for so many years and seen many prize days, which I love and is one of my favorite traditions ,” Lewis said. “It was hard to know that this was my last one.”