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NATCHEZ — On Friday, Cathedral High School’s Class of 2020 held its graduation ceremony under the unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cathedral’s 42 seniors were able to keep the tradition of marching into St. Mary Basilica to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance” wearing masks after having missed each other and their school during the last nine weeks of their senior year.

The graduation ceremony was streamed live on social media and on the school’s website so that the seniors family and friends could tune in from home.

“We fought hard to get here, not only to overcome challenges we’ve faced in these last four years but also just to be able to stand here like those who graduated before us,” said John Alexander “Alex” Dale in his salutatory address. “The world didn’t make it easy. It threw everything it could at us and we prevailed. When the world shutdown and we were isolated from one another, we prevailed. We prevailed, each and every one of us, so that we could all stand here together. I’m so proud and so grateful to be able to call you my classmates, my peers and my friends.”

Fisher Iseminger, CHS Valedictorian, said after months of being isolated from her peers, even as they prepared to part ways they are never truly alone.

“Though we will be essentially independent, we will never truly be alone,” she said. “First and foremost, God will always be with us. We will always be able to turn our prayers, faith communities and morals instilled in us by our outstanding Catholic education.

“Additionally, our families who’ve encouraged and supported us throughout high school will continue to be our biggest fans and push us to exceed in all of our future endeavors. Finally, we will forever be able to rely on the friendships made over the years at Cathedral. For me, you are the brothers and sisters that I never had. Because of the strong relationships we have formed, we will never be alone as we go our separate ways.”

After recalling her school experiences from pre-kindergarten — where she and her classmates began ‘big boy’ and ‘big girl’ school — until just before graduation when she and her classmates watched “senior sunset” which symbolically ended their time together, Iseminger reminded future Green Wave students not to take a single experience for granted.

“I feel that our class set a terrific example of cherishing our time together, loving our school and one another and coming together in the toughest of times,” she said. “To the Cathedral classes of the future, I want to remind you appreciate every second, wear your green and white with pride and support Cathedral with all your heart.”