The 254 graduates from St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, have already begun to write the chapters of what will become their unique life stories. The school conferred diplomas during the June 2 commencement exercises held in Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College, Middletown.

The graduation festivities began two days earlier when the Class of 2012 gathered for a Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Father William O’Brien May 31 in St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Freehold. Father O’Brien is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, who celebrates periodic Masses in St. John Vianney High School as well as in parishes throughout Monmouth County.

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Salutatorian Michele Wadolowski, who will attend Notre Dame University, South Bend, Ind., addressed her classmates by referencing the latest bestselling books and blockbuster movies and noted, “The stories never disappoint us. We fantasize how our lives can be like that. And while our time at St. John Vianney is only a small part of the stories of our lives, it is a chapter we will never forget,” she said.

Wadolowski emphasized the loyalty of friends and parents, the dedication of faculty and staff, the variety of co-curricular activities, and the unconditional love of God as the most important factors shaping the Class of 2012.

“Our friends have always been there. Our teachers are people who have enriched our lives. Our classmates and teammates taught us cooperation along with our coaches, and most importantly, our parents have provided us with all of our opportunities. We learned about God during our time here and know that we are never alone. St. John Vianney has helped us to grow both academically and spiritually, but it’s time now for us to create our own stories. Hopefully they will all be bestsellers,” she concluded.  

Valedictorian Andrea Malleo, who will attend Princeton University, described commencement as “bittersweet” and cited the lessons learned over four years. “We will never forget the lessons that our teachers have taught us….that learning is fun; to lean on God; to persevere; to never stop working at improving ourselves; to trust others with our hearts; to never forget our blessings; and that our best is always enough. We were never tested on these lessons here, but we will be for the rest of our lives,” Malleo noted.

She concluded by encouraging her classmates to remember their friends and parents and to live their lives through kindness, patience, honesty, peace, tolerance, and prudence and to “stay grounded and humbled.”

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, the commencement speaker and a 1985 SJVHS graduate, reflected fondly on his time at the school and had some words of advice for the graduates.“Visiting here a few weeks ago, it was so great to see the level of enthusiasm. Life is not easy, and St. John Vianney has given you a strong foundation. Whatever path you choose, choose it wisely and with enthusiasm. Think about your teachers, your mentors and your friends whom you have shared with. When you remember them, you will likely remember their enthusiasm,” Golden offered.

He noted that success is about much more than money. “Success depends on character. It’s about being faithful to your friends; it’s about the little things you do and say. So whatever you do, do it with enthusiasm,” he asserted.

Superintendant of Catholic Schools JoAnn Tier commended the graduates and noted that more than $23 million in scholarships and grants were awarded to the class.