High school graduation: never too early to look ahead

A few weeks ago, I walked into my office to find the 2024 Catholic school graduation schedule on my desk.

Half of me said, “Already?” – because that meant this year was moving way too fast! How was I going to be bathing suit-ready when I still have Christmas chocolates floating around?

The other, more level-headed half was thrilled because we could start planning Catholic Star Herald coverage three months in advance.

Since the pandemic, Catholic school graduation season has taken on a new meaning for me, personally, when it comes to media coverage. Seeing how middle and high school graduates were cut off from their fellow classmates, favorite teachers and best friends during their shining moment was heartbreaking. Praise God that our Catholic schools were poised to adapt quickly to ensure that school lessons and celebrations – albeit virtual – still took place.

The Catholic Star Herald, too, switched gears straight-away, offering parents a way to spotlight their grads: by taking out a graduation ad that would be displayed like a school yearbook. That pandemic year, 2020, a multitude of families honored their students – each middle- or high-schooler smiling wide in a graduation cap-and-gown photo, name, school and congratulatory message appearing under each picture splashed over five pages on the newspaper.

It was a public witness to say, “We see you! We’re proud of you not only for graduating, but persevering in impossible times.”

Yes, we have returned to in-person classes, proms, dances and graduations. But it is just as important today to continue recognizing our young people publicly for their accomplishments. In the flurry of caps tossed into the air and the echoes of cheers that mark the end of school, the graduation ads offered by the Catholic Star Herald serve as tributes. They celebrate a graduate’s journey, serving as a tangible reminder of their growth.

These ads also play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community and support. For many students, the last year of school represents a formative period filled with challenges and triumphs. These ads provide an opportunity for friends, family and mentors to show their unwavering support for the graduate as each young person embarks on the next chapter of life. Whether it’s a heartfelt message from a grandparent or a note of encouragement from a teacher, pastor or religious sister, these ads serve as a testament to the love and encouragement that surround the graduate.

In an age dominated by digital communication and fleeting social media posts, Catholic school graduation ads offer a timeless form of expression. These printed tributes stand as enduring testaments to the significance of the Catholic school experience.

As the Catholic Star Herald staff plan ahead for the articles and photos featuring the Church of South Jersey’s graduates, consider the impact your words and images can have on a graduate’s journey. Invest in a Catholic school graduation ad and leave a lasting legacy that will be cherished for years to come.

Jennifer Mauro is the managing editor of the Catholic Star Herald. For more information on how to feature your middle or high school graduate, contact advertise@camdendiocese.org or call 856-583-6166.