“Today is that ‘one day.’ Today is the day we take a step. Today is the ‘one day’ that some of us have been waiting for,” said student Jed Tracy, delivering the commencement speech.

The Latin origin of graduate is “gradus,” which means to take a step.

For many, it’s a day they didn’t know would happen this year with certainty after COVID-19 put a pause on school operations.

At St. Edmond’s 65th annual commencement, the class of 2020’s 47 graduates were the first class in the school’s history to graduate amidst a global pandemic.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
St. Edmond graduate Jaedyn Condon walks away with excitement and her diploma in hand after commencement Sunday.

But with an unprecedented start to their adult lives, these graduates may come out stronger than ever.

One-quarter of the graduating class earned their diploma summa cum laude with a GPA of 3.75 of higher. More than half graduated with honors. Virtually every student graduated with at least one scholarship to initiate higher education — many with multiple scholarships.

Tracy admonished the class of 2020 not to “drown” in failures, but to let the failures become a teacher in life.

“Failures are one of life’s greatest gifts,” he said. “You will fail big. You will fail small. It’s part of everyone’s life. Just remember God has a plan for you.”

Citing scripture, Tracy noted Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Noah Carlson smiles at family as St. Edmond commencement begins Sunday.

With that in mind, Tracy said graduates can have confidence that any bump in their road is not too big for them to get over, so long as they allow failures to shape them into a better person.

“When you fail, you may hit rock bottom. Just remember that rock is an amazing foundation,” Tracy said. “And what a great place to be to build a new beginning. Don’t be afraid to fall because, ultimately, failure is a great source of knowledge.”

COVID-19, he said, resulted in a failure to finish their senior year in the traditional way, spurring a great life lesson at an apt time in their lives.

He encouraged them to change the small details they can in life to affect their entire outlook on the future.

“To make the world a better place, it starts with you, with how you do things,” Tracy said. “You can change the world by a simple act of kindness each day.”

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Jed Tracy fixes Alfonzo Junior Galvin Hernandez’s bowtie before they walk across the stage at St. Edmond High School’s graduation Sunday.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
From left to right: Jerris Duncan, Taryn Feser, Claire Fleming and Cooper Fleming say The Lord’s Prayer before St. Edmond High School’s graduation commencement Sunday.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Jed Tracy delivers a speech to his fellow class of 2020 at St. Edmond’s graduation ceremony Sunday.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
The St. Edmond class of 2020 had 47 graduates.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
St. Edmond Catholic School President Mary Gibb thanks retiring Principal Linda Mitchell for 45 years of service in a bittersweet moment at commencement Sunday.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
St. Edmond’s commencement ceremony, delayed by COVID-19, had emotional moments for some graduating students.