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BREADCRUMB

A SCHOOL YEAR LIKE NO OTHER

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August 18, 2020

For information on enrollment and registration at Notre Dame, please visit the admissions section of our website here.

Despite the pandemic, graduates from all three Notre Dame schools were able to put together a relatively normal end of the year, thanks to NDPMA faculty and staff and the students' own creativity and initiative. 

Students in the Notre Dame Prep Class of 2020 celebrated a Baccalaureate Mass and Conferral of Diplomas on July 19.


As they finished up what unquestionably was the most tumultuous school year ever, Notre Dame "graduates" at all three schools were still able to celebrate their transition to the next level, albeit in some non-traditional ways. 

On May 17, Notre Dame's upper school seniors were feted with a "drive-by" and socially distanced car parade that snaked around the school's main campus. It featured NDP seniors, parents, faculty, staff and news coverage by WDIV, WXYZ, Fox 2 and the Detroit Free Press. Middle school eighth graders and lower school fifth graders also enjoyed "drive-by" parades hosted by faculty and staff.

Graduation lawn signs were delivered to each school's graduates by faculty and staff in late spring and more formal graduation ceremonies and Masses followed in mid-summer.  

For most NDPMA grads and their parents — while it was a most unusual end to the school year and disappointing in many respects, especially with the loss of traditional year-end events like the senior all-night party and prom — they were pleased.

Dawn Impellizzeri, whose son Nathan graduated from Notre Dame Prep, was happy that the school went the extra mile with student acknowledgement. 

"Thank you so much for putting smiles on these seniors faces again," she said after a lawn sign was delivered to her house. "It meant so much for them to be recognized." 

Notre Dame Middle School Vice Principal Bob Patterson is with then-fifth grader Lillian Stolzenfeld after he delivered a lawn sign to her home. Notre Dame seniors and eighth graders also received signs delivered by faculty and staff.


Debra Kozole, mother of NDP grad Meghan, said the sign was a wonderful surprise. "So glad to be a part of this community," she said.

Janae Condit, whose daughter Shea graduated from Notre Dame Middle School, was pleased that the school hosted an outdoor parade for the eighth graders in late May.

"Thank you and what a nice send-off for the kids as summer begins," she commented on Facebook shortly after the event.

Notre Dame Prep 2020 graduate Matt DeAngelis, like most of his peers, was upset when the campus closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yes, he was very much looking forward to heading to Happy Valley in the fall to attend Penn State University, but not until after the senior class had finished up what is usually the most exciting two months of their high school career.

Katie Leuchtmann delivers her address to parents and fellow graduates at the Notre Dame Middle School eighth-grade graduation and Mass at St. Mary of the Hills on July 27.


"When I first learned of the school building shutting down, I was in shock," he said. "Notre Dame has been my second home for the past four years, and the fact that I had to say goodbye with no warning was very difficult."

DeAngelis, in fact, did get to say goodbye to his classmates on July 19 when Notre Dame Prep hosted a formal graduation ceremony and Baccalaureate Mass in the school gymnasium.

"The administration did a great job at coordinating the graduation planning, especially given the restrictions that were laid out by the state," DeAngelis said. The administration also frequently kept in touch with us who were on student council to make sure that we felt comfortable with the plans they were making. It was very clear that the safety of the graduates, our families, and the faculty and staff was their top priority."

Kimberly Lee, whose son Julian graduated from NDP, was thankful the school was able to put together a graduation celebration for the seniors.

"It meant everything to see them walk across that stage," said Lee, who also has a daughter, Jordyn, now a junior, at NDP. "Another affirmation that we chose the best school and faculty to help raise our children. Forever grateful!" 

DeAngelis said that while going through the July 19 Mass and graduation, he felt that it was the closure that he and his class needed in uncertain times. 

"I was so excited to finally have an official graduation ceremony, but it was still a reminder that it might be the last time I’m with all my classmates."

DeAngelis also noted that even though the school's official senior prom was canceled due to the pandemic, the Class of 2020 did manage to organize an "unofficial" prom in conjunction with other parent-organized events.  

"This year, many seniors were eager to have one last memory together at prom," he said. "It was devastating to hear of the venue cancellation for the school prom due to restrictions put into place," he said.

Matt DeAngelis NDP'20 is attending Penn State University.


But he knew there might be other options that could accommodate a 'makeshift prom' and still follow appropriate health and safety protocols. 

"A few phone calls later and we had ourselves a prom. I think it was important that we had this rite of passage because, after all, senior year, even this senior year, really wouldn't be complete without a prom," he said.

Now heading soon to what no doubt will be an unusual start to his college career at Penn State, DeAngelis believes his high school has prepared him well for the next academic level. And after the unusual finish to high school, he's ready for just about anything else he encounters in the future.

"Notre Dame truly shaped me into a better Christian person who is more globally aware and better able to adapt to new things quickly," he said. "NDPMA is first a family, then a school. But the academics at Notre Dame always has challenged me in a way that pushed me to see things differently. I believe this way of learning definitely helped me during my college search and enabled me to feel more confident about becoming a student at Penn State."

For information on enrollment and registration at Notre Dame, please visit the admissions section of our website here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

Follow Notre Dame on Twitter at @NDPMA.

About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three school are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.