SJV experience gave graduates deep roots in mercy, justice, love

A collective laugh was heard when Jack Robertson began his valedictory speech by saying that he didn’t rely on ChatGPT to help him write it.

Then, poised and confident, the graduating senior from St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, stood before his 208 fellow classmates, faculty, family members and friends, and presented a heartfelt message filled with words of gratitude for memories made and encouragement and excitement for what the future holds.

Graduate Victoria Kowalewski and her father, Tomasz, who is an alum of St. John Vianney, wait in line for the awarding of diplomas. Mary Stadnyk photo

“What really stands out is not the grades or the GPAs, it is how much we have grown as people,” Robertson said. “We have learned more than just how to solve for x or how to craft a strong thesis statement. We have learned how to show up for each other, how to pick ourselves up when we fall and how to keep moving forward even when things do not go our way. St. John Vianney High School helped shape who we are.”

PHOTO GALLERY: SJV Baccalaureate Mass

PHOTO GALLERY: SJV Graduation

Graduation began with a May 29 Baccalaureate Mass celebrated in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

“You, the Class of 2025, have walked the halls of St. John Vianney High School not just as students, but as disciples – learning not only math and literature, but also mercy, justice, and love rooted in your Catholic faith, rooted in the Lord Jesus Christ,” Bishop O’Connell said in his Baccalaureate homily.

Graduation was May 31 in Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, where Dr. Vince Schmidt, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, was the speaker, and a number of alumni parents presented diplomas to their children. The graduates were lauded for three achievements – their more than 9, 000 hours of service; that the total value of college scholarships awarded to the Class of 2025 amounted to $35,785,072, and that 11 graduates earned associate’s degrees in computer science or social science from Brookdale.

Being a 1993 SJV graduate, Dr. Spozhmy Panezai, was excited to present a diploma to her child, Solomon Sukkarieh.

“He’s following in my footsteps,” Panezai proudly said, then noted that along with graduating from the same high school, Solomon, like his mother, will attend Rutgers University where he will study medicine.

“This is an amazing day,” she said. “I am so proud of his achievements.”