The evening of June 6 was joyous for the St. Rose High School, Belmar, community as 102 graduates of the Class of 2023 received their diplomas during commencement exercises in Monmouth University, West Long Branch.

PHOTO GALLERY: St. Rose High's Graduation

PHOTO GALLERY: St. Rose High's Baccalaureate Mass

The 2023 commencement also marked a milestone for St. Rose High School, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

“My entire family went here – all five of my siblings attended St. Rose,” graduate Sarah Schuld said of her high school experience in an anniversary video. “There is definitely a large familiarity with everyone who is here, it’s a very tight-knit group.”
[[In-content Ad]]

Similarly, graduate Kristen Boehncke spoke of having numerous family members graduate as well, including her siblings, aunts and even her grandparents.

“They all had an amazing time and I thought [the school] would be a really good fit for me and it was,” Boehncke said.

Earlier in the week, the graduates gathered in St. Rose Church for a Baccalaureate Mass concelebrated by Msgr. Edward J. Arnister, pastor, who offered words of wisdom about the importance of the students’ time in high school. In his homily, he used the example from the Gospel where Jesus healed the blind man Bartimaeus. 

“As we journey through life, we must remember that God is our origin, and the Lord Jesus is our ultimate destination to whatever career you choose,” said Msgr. Arnister.

“Catholic education gives us a vision of life. Like Bartimaeus, it allows you to continue your journey with a vibrant faith. Your parents and you to attend a Catholic school,” he added. 

Notable highlights for the Class of 2023 included the awarding of the Western Golf Association Chick Evans Caddy Scholarship to Alexander Xanthacos, who received a full, four-year scholarship to Rutgers University. In 1930, the Evans Scholars Foundation was established and since then more than 11,000 outstanding young men and women have graduated as Evans Scholars.

Currently, there are more than 1,000 Evans Scholars enrolled at 18 leading universities nationwide. The Evans Scholarship is a full tuition and housing college scholarship for high-achieving caddies. To qualify, caddies must meet the requirements of having a strong caddie record, excellent academic achievement and outstanding character.

Also, the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in the Girl Scouts of the USA awarded to Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts, was presented to four graduates at St. Rose – Brinley Dwyer, Alexandra Irasquin, Grace McCafferty and Isabella Schwank. The Gold Award is given to about five percent of eligible Girl Scouts.

Reflecting on his years at St. Rose, graduate Giovanni Jerome said the school made an impression on his experience especially during the pandemic. “It was difficult for me personally,” he said, “but I’m really happy that we all made it here today. We stuck together as a class, and I’m really excited to see where we go from now.”