By Christina Leslie | Staff Writer and Armando Machado | Correspondent

The mood in the Collins Arena of Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, was jubilant May 21 as the 219 members of the Christian Brothers Academy Class of 2015 received their high school diplomas before proud parents, families and friends. The Lincroft LaSallian institution marked its 53rd annual commencement exercises with a nod both to its rich history and the graduates’ futures.

To see photos from CBA's Baccalaureate Mass, click here.
To see photos from CBA's Graduation Ceremony, click here.

CBA president Christian Brother Frank Byrne noted the class of 2015 had 50 young men who graduated with distinction, 18 Brother Michael Dwyer Scholars, 17 scholar athletes and 34 who qualified for the National Honor Society. In addition, 72 percent of the graduates received college scholarships totaling $27.8 million.

But the religious reserved his highest accolades for the graduates’ work in the community. “This class performed 23,085 hours of community service,” Brother Frank said over the sound of growing applause. “That’s an average of 105 hours per graduate when only 50 hours are required.”

The previous evening, the class had gathered in St. Catharine of Genoa Church, Holmdel, for its baccalaureate Mass with Father Phillip C. Pfleger, episcopal vicar for Burlington County and pastor of St. Isaac Jogues, Marlton, as principal celebrant. Father Pfleger reminded the students their graduation did not mark the end of their education, just as Christ had indicated to his apostles that they had a lot to learn - even long after he began his instructions.

Father Pfleger also spoke of spiritually unhealthy societal influences. “Society today is trying to take God out of everything…Without God, we have nothing. Never underestimate the enemy. And never underestimate yourself,” he said.

“Rely on the Holy Spirit… and as Jesus told his disciples to go forth and make the world a better place,” Father Pfleger concluded.

An honorary diploma was presented to outgoing principal, Peter Santanello, to mark his retirement from the Lincroft institution after 41 years.

Alumni of the CBA Class of 1965 presented each new graduate with a Challenge Coin, a tradition established by the institution’s inaugural graduating class. The message on the coin read, “This Challenge Coin is given to you, the Class of 2015, by the Class of 1965 with the responsibility to uphold the traditions of the Academy and to set the standards for the next 50 graduating classes… Good luck, God bless you, and remember... St. John Baptist de la Salle, Pray for Us. Live Jesus in Our Hearts, Forever.”

Brother Frank recalled the words of the prophet Micah (6:8) as inspiration to the young men’s future paths: to do what is just, to love goodness and to walk humbly with God. “You are men of religious morals and culture,” he told the class. “Be positive influences in the Church, society and the world.”

Graduate Armando Caruso, who played intramural football and basketball at CBA, had internalized the message and reflected it by his long service to the Church. “I was an altar boy for a long time…God’s been a big part of my life – each step of the way, he’s put me in the right path,” he said. Caruso plans to major in sports management at Syracuse University.

St. Leo the Great, Lincroft, parishioners Andrea and Anthony DiSpirito II had met at Manhattan College, Riverdale, N.Y., a LaSallian institution, as undergraduates. A generation later, they proudly watched their son, Anthony DiSpirito III, win awards for academic achievement and perfect attendance during his four years at CBA. Andrea noted, “[LaSallian education] was such a positive experience for my husband and I that we wanted the same for our son.”