The Academy of Our Lady of Peace Presents First Live Virtual Graduation Ceremony
Ensuring graduating seniors receive the recognition they deserve, the Academy of Our Lady of Peace (OLP) successfully hosted its first live virtual graduation ceremony and the first of its kind in San Diego County by live-streaming each graduate as they celebrated from home.
For the first time in 138-year history, OLP’s commencement was broadcast virtually bringing together a global audience of 5,000 people to honor the class of 2020, making it the most attended graduation ceremony for the school to date. OLP has long been on the cutting edge of technology and made a historic move to host a live, virtual ceremony, ensuring all 166 graduates received their diplomas in real-time from their parents, guardians, and family members in the comfort and safety of their own homes.
The two-hour event featured speeches from faculty members, 2020 class valedictorian and salutatorian, inspiring messages from alumnae including a speaker from the class of 1970 and a performance by singer and The Voice season 11 finalist Wé McDonald who provided a special tribute song, embracing the resilience of these young women and their courage.
“We cannot hope to understand these times we have been born into, but we were chosen for these times,” said Dr. Lauren Lek, head of school at Academy of Our Lady of Peace to the 2020 graduating class. “You are not here by mistake, nor are you graduating in 2020 by accident, you were chosen for this time. You are a class with great tenacity.”
As the oldest high school and only all-girls’ school in San Diego, the Academy of Our Lady of Peace has been educating young women since 1882. OLP is dedicated to the philosophy that academic excellence, leadership skills, and confidence flourish best in an environment with a sole focus on empowering young women. OLP’s curriculum, values, and culture shape young women to act responsibly, think critically, excel academically and thrive socially.
“Despite these unique circumstances, being able to watch our graduates and their families celebrate four years of accomplishments brought joy to everyone watching the ceremony,” said Jessica Hooper, assistant head of school at OLP. “Since 100 percent of our students pursue higher education upon graduating from OLP it was important that we honor their hard work and send them off properly. OLP’s commitment to providing our students with the best graduation possible is a testament to our faculty’s passion for these young women.”
The school partnered with Encore Virtual Event Collective of San Diego to produce and broadcast the ceremony.
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace (OLP), a San Diego institution, has educated young women in the spirit of excellence and innovation that characterizes the founding Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. OLP has been recognized as a Blue-Ribbon School of excellence by the U.S. Department of Education and 100 percent of its graduates continue on to pursue higher education. For more information about OLP, visit http://www.aolp.org/.
Category: Education, Local News, Students
