There was a celebration for the 43 graduates of Infant Jesus of Prague School on May 29, but it was a virtual show. The community got to see the faces of the graduates displayed on the lawn of the school. On May 29 there was a drive-by school parade with the graduates in their caps and gowns.
There was a celebration for the 43 graduates of Infant Jesus of Prague School on May 29, but it was a virtual show. The community got to see the faces of the graduates displayed on the lawn of the school. On May 29 there was a drive-by school parade with the graduates in their caps and gowns.
There is a back-up plan for a rescheduled graduation Mass on Aug. 7, said Principal Charlotte Kelly.
Jalen Williams is sad knowing the traditional celebration is postponed, and he is especially disappointed that he didn’t get to say goodbye to his teachers and friends.
“I’m part of history now, and how things occurred.”
Jalen, son of Marisa and James Williams of Matteson, will be going to Marian Catholic High School and is looking forward to “meeting new people and taking Spanish and computer concepts classes.”
Madison and Josh Davis, children of John and Jeanie Davis of Flossmoor who attended IJP since kindergarten, will go to Marian Catholic in the fall.
The end of the school year is a letdown for Josh “because I spent my whole life with kids that I might never see them again because they’re going to different high schools.” He has great memories of his eighth grade basketball team winning the Catholic League championship.
Madison said one of her favorite IJP memories is a fun first grade activity “Book-Cook,” that encouraged reading. She enjoyed playing volleyball and basketball for IJP.
Maura Hanley, 13, daughter of Joseph Hanley and Kristy Mardis of Flossmoor, was National Junior Honor Society president. She said she is “a little disappointed” about graduation, adding “It’s good that the school is trying to make it as memorable as possible.”
Maura, who will be attending Homewood-Flossmoor High in August, said, “At H-F I’m going to do band and choir and I’m kind of excited for that; second year of Mandarin and I’ll be feeling a little bit of nervousness going to a new school, but I’m mostly excited.”