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Col. Max Smith, a member of the Academy faculty, gives the Senior Class Blessing as the sun sets behind the stadium.

Gordon Murphy of Niederwald receives the President’s Cup from Dr. Brian Guenther during the Commencement ceremony. This is the highest award a student can receive at the Academy. Murphy plans to enter the Texas Fire Academy next month to follow in his father’s footsteps as a firefighter.

Caleb Guenther of San Marcos accepts the McNiel Cup Award from Academy CFO Rhonda McNeil. The McNiel Cup is the second highest student award given at the Academy. Guenther will be attending Mary Hardin-Baylor in the fall to pursue a degree in music business.

After delivering the Valedictorian Address, Carter Pruitt of New Braunfels, Texas, exits the stage to a standing ovation. Pruitt will enter the University of Texas at Austin this fall to pursue a degree in architectural engineering.

Cendra Rodriguez of San Marcos receives the salutatorian award from Bob Wiegand, SMA Senior Vice President, before giving her speech at Commencement. Rodriguez will attend Baylor University in the fall to major in biology on a pre-med track.

Austin Lee receives his cum laude diploma from his father, Dr. Lane Lee, a member of the Academy’s Board of Trustees. Lee will attend Trinity University in San Antonio this fall to study engineering science and run track for the Tigers.

Annalisa Call of San Marcos accepts her diploma from Dr. Ruth B. Welborn, chair of the Academy’s Board of Trustees. Annalisa will attend Texas State University to study biology or zoology.

With a fist bump from President Brian Guenther, Caleb Strube of San Marcos celebrates receiving his cum laude diploma. Strube will enter Texas A&M at College Station as an Aggie Corps cadet this fall to major in political science.

The Academy faculty joined the Class of 2020 on the track to provide social distancing during the Commencement ceremony. Originally scheduled for May 9, the ceremony was moved to June 27 due to the pandemic. Only 33 of the 46 SMA graduates, including several from other countries, were able to attend the ceremony.

San Marcos Academy celebrates graduating class with in-person ceremony

Tue, 06/30/2020 - 7:08pm

San Marcos Academy held an in-person graduation ceremony for its Class of 2020 on Saturday. SMA practiced social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic with less than 50% capacity at Ingram Stadium. SMA's graduates and faculty wore masks when not seated during the ceremony. Photos by Marcus McDonald