Graduates will carry forth strength and spirit of the 'CBA pack'
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, bid farewell to its 48th graduating class – 229 young men – during a commencement ceremony on the Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College May 20.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
Presiding was Christian Brother Frank Byrne, CBA president, who conferred the diplomas along with Christian Brother James Butler, principal. The school also celebrated a baccalaureate Mass for its graduating seniors May 17.
During his commencement address, Brother James cited scenes and characters from the 2009 movie ‘The Hangover’ and employed the metaphor of a ‘wolf pack’ to describe the graduates and their four year journeys at the academy.
“In the movie, Alan, the main character, recalled his growing connection to his new-found friends and described them as his ‘wolf pack,’” Brother James stated. “Whether you were a loner or sociable boy when you entered CBA in the fall of 2006, I am confident almost all of you have found your ‘wolf pack.’”
In his emotional parting words to the students, Brother James referred to a scene from the movie and recalled a very appropriate quotation from author Rudyard Kipling, “For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.”
“As you leave the ‘CBA pack,’ remember you run with its strength and spirit wherever life may take you,” he declared. Citing the conclusion of the movie, Brother James explained with humor – and with loud applause from both the graduates and the audience – that much like the film’s characters always found their way back to where they had been the night before, he hoped CBA would be for the graduates “a sacred place and a touchstone experience you can always find your way back to when you need it most.”
Valedictorian Paul Schepel, of Colts Neck, who will attend Princeton University in the fall, lauded the academy as a place where true brotherhood prevailed – both inside and outside the classroom. While he stated that the class as a whole would be difficult to characterize, he noted that his fellow classmates had accomplished much in the areas of academics, arts and sports.
Salutatorian Timothy Dugan, of Middletown, described his classmates as “captains” and emphasized the concept of individuality throughout his speech. He challenged graduates with a call-to-action and urged them to become and remain independent thinkers throughout their lives.
Dugan encouraged the graduates to be successful as individuals but to never forget what they had learned during their four years at the academy. “Gentlemen, do not ever compromise your values,” said Dugan, who will attend the University of Pennsylvania.
Brother Frank, a member of the CBA Class of 1975, noted that the academy has remained a large part of his life, as he hoped it will be for the graduates. “It is part of your legacy too. Now and forever, you will always be men of the academy,” Brother Frank stated.
According to information provided by CBA Director of Guidance Colleen Hayes, the graduates performed 23,029 hours of community service which included food drives, teaching of religious education classes, breast cancer and autism support, volunteering in hospitals, humanitarian efforts for Haiti, personal involvement with the organization Holiday Express, and visits to the homeless in Asbury Park.
“They are good kids. Once the students started community service projects, they realized how good they felt and continued their involvement. Many pursued diverse volunteer opportunities,” Hayes stated.
She noted proudly that the school requirement for community service is 50 hours per student, but that the graduates far exceeded that at an average of 101 hours per student. Hayes said that 81 percent of the class earned merit-based academic scholarships totaling $23,681,000, the highest amount in the school’s history.
Of the graduates, she noted that 86 percent will attend top-tier schools as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 36 percent will move on to Catholic colleges and four will attend Ivy League schools.
“We are very, very proud of those numbers,” Hayes said.
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Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, bid farewell to its 48th graduating class – 229 young men – during a commencement ceremony on the Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College May 20.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
Presiding was Christian Brother Frank Byrne, CBA president, who conferred the diplomas along with Christian Brother James Butler, principal. The school also celebrated a baccalaureate Mass for its graduating seniors May 17.
During his commencement address, Brother James cited scenes and characters from the 2009 movie ‘The Hangover’ and employed the metaphor of a ‘wolf pack’ to describe the graduates and their four year journeys at the academy.
“In the movie, Alan, the main character, recalled his growing connection to his new-found friends and described them as his ‘wolf pack,’” Brother James stated. “Whether you were a loner or sociable boy when you entered CBA in the fall of 2006, I am confident almost all of you have found your ‘wolf pack.’”
In his emotional parting words to the students, Brother James referred to a scene from the movie and recalled a very appropriate quotation from author Rudyard Kipling, “For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.”
“As you leave the ‘CBA pack,’ remember you run with its strength and spirit wherever life may take you,” he declared. Citing the conclusion of the movie, Brother James explained with humor – and with loud applause from both the graduates and the audience – that much like the film’s characters always found their way back to where they had been the night before, he hoped CBA would be for the graduates “a sacred place and a touchstone experience you can always find your way back to when you need it most.”
Valedictorian Paul Schepel, of Colts Neck, who will attend Princeton University in the fall, lauded the academy as a place where true brotherhood prevailed – both inside and outside the classroom. While he stated that the class as a whole would be difficult to characterize, he noted that his fellow classmates had accomplished much in the areas of academics, arts and sports.
Salutatorian Timothy Dugan, of Middletown, described his classmates as “captains” and emphasized the concept of individuality throughout his speech. He challenged graduates with a call-to-action and urged them to become and remain independent thinkers throughout their lives.
Dugan encouraged the graduates to be successful as individuals but to never forget what they had learned during their four years at the academy. “Gentlemen, do not ever compromise your values,” said Dugan, who will attend the University of Pennsylvania.
Brother Frank, a member of the CBA Class of 1975, noted that the academy has remained a large part of his life, as he hoped it will be for the graduates. “It is part of your legacy too. Now and forever, you will always be men of the academy,” Brother Frank stated.
According to information provided by CBA Director of Guidance Colleen Hayes, the graduates performed 23,029 hours of community service which included food drives, teaching of religious education classes, breast cancer and autism support, volunteering in hospitals, humanitarian efforts for Haiti, personal involvement with the organization Holiday Express, and visits to the homeless in Asbury Park.
“They are good kids. Once the students started community service projects, they realized how good they felt and continued their involvement. Many pursued diverse volunteer opportunities,” Hayes stated.
She noted proudly that the school requirement for community service is 50 hours per student, but that the graduates far exceeded that at an average of 101 hours per student. Hayes said that 81 percent of the class earned merit-based academic scholarships totaling $23,681,000, the highest amount in the school’s history.
Of the graduates, she noted that 86 percent will attend top-tier schools as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 36 percent will move on to Catholic colleges and four will attend Ivy League schools.
“We are very, very proud of those numbers,” Hayes said.
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