Class of 2024 feted for academic excellence, community service
June 18, 2024 at 11:55 a.m.
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Updated June 18, 2024 at 11:56 a.m.
For anyone who has ever attended a graduation, it might be tempting to say, “if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.” That is, unless it’s a Catholic school graduation.
Standing at Commencement exercises for St. Rose High School, Belmar, are, from left, Davis Dugan, Meghan DeLuca, salutatorian Bryce Lemoult, salutatorian Arianna Simon and valedictorian Giovanni Pescatore. Courtesy photo.With prayers, songs of the Lord’s blessing and messages of his abiding presence to send the seniors forward, the Class of 2024 enjoyed celebrations that recognized graduates’ achievements and emphasized the Catholicity of their experience: a four-year focus on academic excellence infused with lessons on loving one’s neighbor and taking God into the world.
UNMATCHED EXPERIENCE
Following a well-established precedent in the Diocese of Trenton, members of the Class of 2024 demonstrated discipline and perseverance in their Catholic secondary education. With more than $214 million awarded in college scholarships, the 1,165 graduates of the 10 parish, diocesan and independent Catholic high schools within the Diocese will enter universities, military service and the workforce.
Kevin Gorzyca, graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, poses for a post-Commencement photo with family members.bMatt Marzorati photoThe Class of 2024 students graduated from Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River; Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville; Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank; St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel; St.Rose High School, Belmar; Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft; Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, Delran; Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Princeton; Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy, Hamilton; and Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing.
Commencement exercised reflected the difference a faith-based education has made on the graduates.
School official lauded the thousands of hours of community service, from packing meals to clothing drives to beach clean-ups and hosting socials for young students and adults with special needs. Students raised funds for cancer research and scholarships for incoming freshmen. And many cheerfully worked well beyond any school-imposed service hour requirements, earning national recognition for their efforts.
Some graduations were marked by traditions that honored the paths forged by students from years prior.
Members of the Class of 1974 from Notre Dame High School, St. John Vianney High School and Holy Cross Preparatory Academy returned to welcome the new alumni of the Class of 2024 as well as to celebrate their 50th anniversary of graduation. Additionally, those families who have attended the same school for multiple generations – “legacy families” – were invited to present diplomas to their graduates.
Noting graduation’s rite of passage from childhood into young adulthood, class speakers universally expressed gratitude for the lessons of teachers and parents, i H 2H 2 H 2 HP dents a solid Catholic education.
Hal Brown “Our parents, teachers, loved ones and friends have all shaped us into who we are, and now it is time to put ourselves to the test,” said Red Bank Catholic salutatorian Megan Talbot. “Let’s welcome this chapter whole-heartedly, as God will be guiding us to where we are supposed to be.”
WORDS FROM THE SHEPHERD
In his homily for the Baccalaureate Masses of several high schools, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., reminded graduates the most important thing they would take with them upon graduation was their faith.
“The world is a big place, and the future is uncertain.
Ronald Maniglia But your faith is NOT uncertain,” he said. “Your faith and all that it teaches is true, and it will carry you through all the uncertain moments that the future lays out before you. God goes with you, and your faith will make you strong, able to handle whatever comes your way. Do not forget God. Do not forget your faith and all that you have learned about it. Do not abandon for any reason what the L2 2 2 P oP2 lives so far.”
CHOOSING CATHOLIC EDUCATION
In a state saturated with educational options, selecting a school that instructs the soul as well as the mind is very much an intentional act. Parents and students who opted for Catholic high school attested that faith was a priority.
“The kids at Catholic schools are taught morality and values; this doesn’t happen in the public school system,” said Denise Zamirowski, mother of graduate Natalie Zamirowski. She and her husband, Justin, chose Notre Dame High School for Natalie and her younger brother, Justin. “I also believe that the public schools have become too politicized, and that is affecting the quality of education,” she added.
Donovan Catholic, Toms River, graduate Brody Elms accepts his diploma from Father G. Scott Shaffer, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, and Principal Jillian Kelly, during Commencement June 3. Matt Marzorati photoKara Ragan, mother of graduate twins Colleen and Eleanor and rising junior Maeve, sought “a school that would complement what was being taught at home – and we found that in St. Rose.”
The family belongs to St. Mark Parish, Sea Girt, and appreciated having St. Rose High School as another Catholic aspect of their lives. “[It] was like a second family for my daughters,” she continued. “They chose St. Rose because the moment they walked through the doors it felt like home ... We know that they have been given the tools to continue to follow their faith and grow in college.”
Father Garry Koch, pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel, celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass for graduates of St. John Vianney High School. In his homily, he emphasized the unique role that responding to the Lord plays in a fulfilling life.
“When we are attuned to God’s word and open to encountering him, we are able to discern and to act on those gifts which have been given to you,” he said. “It is our prayer for you that you remain open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in your lives. Stay true to the faith and the values that have been handed on to you, and invest wisely the gifts, opportunities, and challenges that the Lord places before you. Not only will you experience the satisfaction of a life lived well, but you will know what we long for in life: that peace and joy leading you to the heavenly kingdom.”
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For anyone who has ever attended a graduation, it might be tempting to say, “if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.” That is, unless it’s a Catholic school graduation.
Standing at Commencement exercises for St. Rose High School, Belmar, are, from left, Davis Dugan, Meghan DeLuca, salutatorian Bryce Lemoult, salutatorian Arianna Simon and valedictorian Giovanni Pescatore. Courtesy photo.With prayers, songs of the Lord’s blessing and messages of his abiding presence to send the seniors forward, the Class of 2024 enjoyed celebrations that recognized graduates’ achievements and emphasized the Catholicity of their experience: a four-year focus on academic excellence infused with lessons on loving one’s neighbor and taking God into the world.
UNMATCHED EXPERIENCE
Following a well-established precedent in the Diocese of Trenton, members of the Class of 2024 demonstrated discipline and perseverance in their Catholic secondary education. With more than $214 million awarded in college scholarships, the 1,165 graduates of the 10 parish, diocesan and independent Catholic high schools within the Diocese will enter universities, military service and the workforce.
Kevin Gorzyca, graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, poses for a post-Commencement photo with family members.bMatt Marzorati photoThe Class of 2024 students graduated from Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River; Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville; Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank; St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel; St.Rose High School, Belmar; Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft; Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, Delran; Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Princeton; Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy, Hamilton; and Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing.
Commencement exercised reflected the difference a faith-based education has made on the graduates.
School official lauded the thousands of hours of community service, from packing meals to clothing drives to beach clean-ups and hosting socials for young students and adults with special needs. Students raised funds for cancer research and scholarships for incoming freshmen. And many cheerfully worked well beyond any school-imposed service hour requirements, earning national recognition for their efforts.
Some graduations were marked by traditions that honored the paths forged by students from years prior.
Members of the Class of 1974 from Notre Dame High School, St. John Vianney High School and Holy Cross Preparatory Academy returned to welcome the new alumni of the Class of 2024 as well as to celebrate their 50th anniversary of graduation. Additionally, those families who have attended the same school for multiple generations – “legacy families” – were invited to present diplomas to their graduates.
Noting graduation’s rite of passage from childhood into young adulthood, class speakers universally expressed gratitude for the lessons of teachers and parents, i H 2H 2 H 2 HP dents a solid Catholic education.
Hal Brown “Our parents, teachers, loved ones and friends have all shaped us into who we are, and now it is time to put ourselves to the test,” said Red Bank Catholic salutatorian Megan Talbot. “Let’s welcome this chapter whole-heartedly, as God will be guiding us to where we are supposed to be.”
WORDS FROM THE SHEPHERD
In his homily for the Baccalaureate Masses of several high schools, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., reminded graduates the most important thing they would take with them upon graduation was their faith.
“The world is a big place, and the future is uncertain.
Ronald Maniglia But your faith is NOT uncertain,” he said. “Your faith and all that it teaches is true, and it will carry you through all the uncertain moments that the future lays out before you. God goes with you, and your faith will make you strong, able to handle whatever comes your way. Do not forget God. Do not forget your faith and all that you have learned about it. Do not abandon for any reason what the L2 2 2 P oP2 lives so far.”
CHOOSING CATHOLIC EDUCATION
In a state saturated with educational options, selecting a school that instructs the soul as well as the mind is very much an intentional act. Parents and students who opted for Catholic high school attested that faith was a priority.
“The kids at Catholic schools are taught morality and values; this doesn’t happen in the public school system,” said Denise Zamirowski, mother of graduate Natalie Zamirowski. She and her husband, Justin, chose Notre Dame High School for Natalie and her younger brother, Justin. “I also believe that the public schools have become too politicized, and that is affecting the quality of education,” she added.
Donovan Catholic, Toms River, graduate Brody Elms accepts his diploma from Father G. Scott Shaffer, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, and Principal Jillian Kelly, during Commencement June 3. Matt Marzorati photoKara Ragan, mother of graduate twins Colleen and Eleanor and rising junior Maeve, sought “a school that would complement what was being taught at home – and we found that in St. Rose.”
The family belongs to St. Mark Parish, Sea Girt, and appreciated having St. Rose High School as another Catholic aspect of their lives. “[It] was like a second family for my daughters,” she continued. “They chose St. Rose because the moment they walked through the doors it felt like home ... We know that they have been given the tools to continue to follow their faith and grow in college.”
Father Garry Koch, pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel, celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass for graduates of St. John Vianney High School. In his homily, he emphasized the unique role that responding to the Lord plays in a fulfilling life.
“When we are attuned to God’s word and open to encountering him, we are able to discern and to act on those gifts which have been given to you,” he said. “It is our prayer for you that you remain open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in your lives. Stay true to the faith and the values that have been handed on to you, and invest wisely the gifts, opportunities, and challenges that the Lord places before you. Not only will you experience the satisfaction of a life lived well, but you will know what we long for in life: that peace and joy leading you to the heavenly kingdom.”