Friday’s ceremony was extra celebratory with a few added touches. In addition to the bagpipers, members of the school concert band were in attendance to perform under the direction of Mr. Steve Kessler. The stage was beautifully decorated featuring new academic banners and attendance represented more of the “normal” ceremony that we were used to hosting pre-pandemic.
These 189 graduates were sophomores when the COVID19 pandemic changed their world and certainly their high school experience. This school year saw the return of many senior year traditions that included 99 Days, Senior Prom, and the Disney Trip. In addition, theatre arts performances, spectators at sporting events, and even lunch periods were back along with many other social aspects of high school.
The Class of 2022 has also seen tremendous success academically, spiritually, artistically, and athletically. They boast a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and Commended Student and have earned over $53 million dollars in college scholarships. In the fall, they will be sitting in classrooms at colleges and universities across the country such as Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, UC Berkeley, College of the Holy Cross, Georgia Tech, Providence College, NYU, Elon University, RPI, Smith College, UNC-Chapel Hill, University of Colorado and more. We are so proud of their accomplishments and are excited for them as they move on to the next phase of their lives.
Along with the many academic, leadership, and service awards, other highlights from the ceremony included:
- The ceremony opened with The National Anthem sung beautifully by the senior ensemble of Gianna Desdune, Grace Macedonia, Julia Morales, and Ryan Romani.
- Salutatorian Valerie Bubel provided the invocation and Valedictorian, Jacqueline Lehner addressed all those in attendance with an eloquent and entertaining tribute to the school, her classmates, and families in attendance.
- This year, Lourdes President, Catherine Merryman, in her message to “her seniors”, drew her inspiration from Trappist Monk and Theologian, Thomas Merton and singer/songwriter, John Denver.
- Grace Macedonia and Jack Mulcahy were named as recipients of the prestigious Lourdean Award.
- Brian Sayah and Jason Sayah led the Prayer with their fellow graduates.
The ceremony wrapped up with the senior ensemble performing Ave Maria and Reverend Michael Connolly providing the benediction. The procession of graduates then continued out to the front of the school for the annual tradition of the “throwing of the caps” at the statue of the Blessed Mother.
A beautiful ceremony, an outstanding group of graduates, family & friends, administration, faculty, and staff all made for a wonderful night. We are excited to hear where their futures will take them!