"We expect the exceptional.” 

This motto has been the theme of Trenton Catholic Academy since its inception in 2005, but as Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. suggested to the TCA Class of 2012 in his homily during the Baccalaureate Mass June 6, it is more than a simple catchphrase.

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 “It has been the hope, the prayer, the intention and the mission of your Catholic education,” he shared with the 53 seniors, their families, teachers and friends, who gathered in St. Anthony Church in Hamilton, for both the Mass and commencement exercises which followed.

“To expect anything less than the exceptional, I say, is to expect nothing,” the bishop stressed.

While Bishop O’Connell acknowledged the graduates’ accomplishments in the classroom, on the playing fields and courts and in their service to the community, he also encouraged them to look forward to the future by establishing goals and having dreams of their own.

 “All of the great people in the world had a dream to drive them,” he stated, while reminding them of the need to work hard and to face the reality that the world may present messages that are contrary to their beliefs.

“Your lives will not be easy,” he counseled, adding, “but if you face all of these circumstances in life with the desire, with the hope, with the dream to be exceptional, we will live the way Jesus wants us to live.”

Carlie Schwartz, class salutatorian, also took notice to the exceptional qualities and wonderful experiences she had during these past four years in high school.

“We have learned from one another and have watched each other grow into exceptional young adults,” she said, recalling fond memories of her classmates, several of whom she attended school with in the Lower School.

“I believe that we have all been put into each other’s lives for a reason and that we have changed each other for the better.” 

“Our future is in our hands now, with our education, determination, diligence and faith, we will thrive. “ Schwartz will be attending The College of New Jersey in Ewing, where she will study business in the fall.

Her best friend and Valedictorian, Kelechi Okpara, also recalled fond memories of her classmates and her teachers and her high school career.

“Trenton Catholic Academy has been our second home for the past four years.  It has been a place where we have matured in to strong and bright men and women,” she spoke of her classmates who together earned over $2.5 million in scholarships.

“Regardless of our origins, we are a family,” she acknowledged.

 “As a family we have prayed together.  We have served thousands of hours to our community.  As a family we celebrated together.  And today as a family, we graduate and say our good-byes together.”

Okpara will be attending Northeastern University in Massachusetts where her focus of study will be pharmacy.

After the diplomas were conferred by Sister of St. Joseph Dorothy Payne, TCA president, and Michele Neves, Upper School director, assisted by Jill Patterson, dean of studies and John Petrilla, dean of students, the graduates joined a prestigious group of men and women who have gone before them when they were inducted into the Iron Mikes Alumni Association.  This active organization continues to play an important role in the school and is busy planning reunions, galas and activities as the school prepares to celebrate their 50th anniversary in September.

Sister Dorothy shared her prayers with the graduates one last time, saying, “I pray that you deepen your relationship with God and I pray that you use your gifts and talents to bring happiness to yourselves, to your loved ones and to those in need,” and conveyed to the graduates that “the door is always open.”

She reminded students that, as Bishop O’Connell instructed the graduates during his homily, “to be exceptional doesn’t end with your graduation. It has to be a great and constant theme and I hope it is the theme by which you write the book of your lives – one chapter at a time.”