KENMORE — Mount St. Mary Academy held a farewell driving tour through campus for the Class of 2020 on May 31. The senior class was honored as they and their families took a final turn around the high school grounds in their graduation gowns. Graduates were able to leave their cars for a formal portrait in the grotto in front of the school. Each graduate received gifts and well wishes from the faculty, staff and administration.

"This class of 2020 are some of the most resiliant and creative young women to have crossed the halls of Mount St. Mary Academy," said Principal Katherine Spillman.

A recording of the Class of 2020 Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Msgr. Francis Weldgen in the school chapel was made available to the class and the public on Saturday, May 30. The original date off the Mass.

While it was not the end of their senior year they envisioned, Spillman said, "They have done it with spirit, courage and with smiles on their faces."

The class of 2020 has earned a reported total of $15,344,144 in scholarships, with an average of $264,553.69 per student. The young women will be moving on to local universities, colleges across the country, and one so far as Ireland.

The official 89th commencement exercises for the Class of 2020 has been postponed until Aug. 2 and will be held in the school's auditorium, barring any continuing public health concerns or local restrictions. Ashley

Masci, has been named Class of 2020 valedictorian and Elizabeth Hertz has been named salutatorian.

Masci earned a 100.01 average over her four years at Mount St. Mary and will attend Harvard University to study molecular and cellular biology. With that education, Masci plans to be a microbiologist or biomedical researcher. In 2019, Masci received the Harvard Prize Book Award.

Hertz earned a 99.17 average during her schooling at Mount St. Mary and has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Canisius College and join the rowing team. There, she will double major in accounting and accounting information systems on her path to becoming a CPA.