Thunder rolled outside but there was no sense of foreboding. In fact, following the strangest and most lonely school year in memory, the Becahi community was joyous the evening of June 9 as it gathered en masse for the first time since the COVID crisis began so many months ago.

Faculty were masked, but the most stringent restrictions were over and distancing was no longer necessary, as seniors sat shoulder-to-shoulder in the auditorium, surrounded by family, to celebrate their achievements and conclude their high school careers.

Principal Holly DeNofa welcomed the guests and said, “One thing we have certainly learned over the course of the past year is to not take anything for granted. You have completed your journey here at Bethlehem Catholic . We are all here tonight together by the grace of God to celebrate and honor you, the Class of 2021.”

DeNova quoted Isaiah 58:11: “The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your soul with all good things,” and explained, “This year, the year that we had, was unbelievable, and some of the spiritual opportunities we had taken for granted were taken away from us. For so long we were not able to attend Mass in person, we could not pray together as a community and most upsettingly, we could not receive communion … it was so easy for us to slip into a spiritual drought. And here at school, where we’d always begun every year with Mass, as a whole school community, but we had … no music, no singing … we lost the chances to do what big families do.

“Last night [at the baccalaureate] was the first time in over a year that the class of 2021was able to be all together and sharing the Eucharist, and I was incredibly touched at the amazing sight. My heart just melted.

“God will continually guide you,” DeNova said. “Christ will be your light.”

DeNova also took a moment to celebrate Valedictorian Sarah Knoble, who participated in an astonishing list of activities. Knoble was the top student in her class and was in soccer, track and field, Key Club, National Honor Society president, theater, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, Retreat Team, founding member of the Orchestra Club, Scholastic Scrimmage, Engineering Team, Medical Club, Business Club and Hawk Ambassador.

Student speaker Isabella Faasuamalie described Becahi as an extended family, especially for herself, who first visited the school in third grade, when her older brother took a tour while considering a transfer.

“I was unconcerned … until football season. Going to my brother’s football games was my favorite part of the week, and it was my first taste of Becahi life. My whole family made every game and my grandfather always insisted on showing up two hours before kickoff to get a good seat. We would sit in the stands and watch as the student section piled in, and I could not wait until the day when I would get to be a part of it.

“I quickly developed a passion for the Becahi family and pride in the Becahi reputation,” Faasuamalie said, but this year, as the youngest of three Becahi graduates, she said she experienced many things for the last time. “The place where I watched both my brother and sister graduate is the same place where they are watching me today. When I first came to Becahi, I felt intimidated by the shadows of my older siblings. I felt pressure to uphold the standards that they had set … until I realized that their accomplishments were not meant to be discouraging, but inspiring. I realized that my purpose may differ from others but that did not make it less valuable.

“And I discovered that as long as I have pride in everything I do, then I will be content with where I am. I’m proud of the ways that I’ve grown over these past four years as a Golden Hawk, and excited to spend the next four years as a Mountain Hawk. I guess it is true what they say: ‘Once a Hawk, always a Hawk.’”

Student speaker Rachel Oppedisano agreed that Beca feels like a family. “Even though this chapter is ending, we are all fortunate enough to have pages to read back on. Pages that I will cherish forever.”

She stressed the importance of always treating others with respect, and that at Becahi there is unconditional love and support, and that in the Becahi family, nobody is alone. “As we leave here today and follow our passions and dreams, remember to not walk alone – to walk with our loved ones and to always walk with grace.”