(COVINGTON, La.) — With nine months left in their high school careers, the St. Paul’s Senior Class of 2021 made the long-established March Through the Arch. However, with COVID-19 precautions still in place, the tradition was necessarily adjusted.

Seniors, masked and socially distanced, walked up De La Salle Dr. in the late afternoon of Aug. 20 with only immediate family and some faculty in attendance. Traditionally, the event is held in the morning with the entire school present.

The ring ceremony was integrated into March Through the Arch. Principal Trevor Watkins presented students their rings on a silver tray, rather than President Bro. Raymond Bulliard, FSC distributing them individually on the stage of the Briggs Assembly Center as in previous years. After receiving their rings, students gathered around the statue of St. John Baptist de La Salle, where they sang Rise Up O Men of God and the St. Paul’s Fight Song.

“It was definitely different, but I was glad we were still able to participate in our school’s annual tradition this year,” Senior Magnus Laue said.