For the 123 graduates of St. Rose High School, Belmar, the commencement ceremony marking their successful graduation provided not only a pause for celebration, but also a reminder of their call to greatness.

The graduation, which was held June 5 in Monmouth University Activities Center, West Long Branch, was preceded by a Baccalaureate Mass celebrated May 31 at the school by Msgr. Edward Arnister, pastor, St. Rose Parish. Diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, JoAnn Tier, assisted with the distribution of awards.

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“We have experienced excellence in all regards,” said class valedictorian Geraldine Mabagos, who herself collected several academic honors during the commencement ceremony. “Now, we gather to celebrate our achievements.”

Mabagos spoke about the deep bonds shared by the relatively small graduating class, and the welcoming and loving spirit that filled the hallways each day during their four years, even dating back to the very first day of their high school careers.

“We have always had a sense of solidarity,” she said when addressing her fellow graduates. “We have shown that we have made it through together.”

She also expressed gratitude towards the parents and families of her classmates, especially for providing them with a quality Catholic education, chief among “the gifts that cannot be written on a diploma, bought or held.”

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was the guest speaker for the exercises. He shared with the young graduates – who were proudly donning gold and purple gowns, affixed with hoods for academic honors and medals for awards – the importance of having a theme to each of their lives, much like a good book.

“A great life needs a great theme,” he said, noting that many young
people in today’s society lack that theme, the coherent purpose that gives their life a greater meaning and allows them to give to others. “Be men and women for others.”

He challenged the graduates to strive for true selflessness as they

mature into adults, something that will help them discover who they truly are as their lives unfold.

“To really move on a journey to greatness requires letting go of selfishness,” he said.

More than a dozen students received academic honors and awards at the ceremony, but they were not the only ones to be recognized.  Patricia Mixson, a Spanish teacher retiring this year, was awarded the Sister Antoinette Marie Award for Excellence in Teaching.

“I worked for many, many years in public school,” Mixson said after accepting her award, noting that she considers her time in public school to be the figurative dessert portion of her teaching career. “I always look at St. Rose as the icing on the cake.”

Joan Murphy, who was at the ceremony to celebrate the graduation of her niece, Megan Murphy, said that the four years flew by.

“It seems like just yesterday that she was a freshman,” she said. “I am very proud of her.”

Murphy said her family has a strong tradition of Catholic education.

“We went to Catholic school growing up – all ten of us,” she said of her generation. “A lot of us have sent our children to Catholic schools.”

Dean of students George Leather, who has two daughters at the school who will be graduating in the next two years, said this year’s commencement exercises have led him to think ahead to when his own children will be in the same seats.

Speaking about the class of 2012, he said that more than half never had a disciplinary problem in their four-year career. He handles disciplinary issues for the school.

“It was a very well-behaved class,” he said.

The occasion was also special for Raldy Pierre, who was there to congratulate Rick Alcin, who is on his mother’s side of the family. Pierre is a senior at another high school, and he said it was great to see Alcin’s big moment as he received his diploma.

Speaking on the next saga that the graduates will embark upon, Mabagos had no doubts that they were ready.

“We go confidently,” she said, “and we go prepared.”