Judge Memorial Catholic High School

Intermountain Catholic

+ Enlarge

The Judge Memorial Catholic High School class of 2009 change their tassels from left to right after receiving their diplomas during the commencement exercises at the Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City May 23. IC photo by Priscilla Cabral

Salt Lake City — The 194 members of the Judge Memorial Catholic High School Class of 2009 entered the Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City to the sound of Pomp and Cirumstance May 23.

White and red predominated the stage of the hall, while joy, pride, hope, and why not, nervousness filled the air.

Sister Genevra Rolf, associate superintendent of Catholic schools of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, gave start to the commencement exercises with the invocation.

"We pray, God, our father, that you’ll continue to bless these young people with thirst for knowledge, with hearts open to your love, with faith in your enduring presence, and with the desire to live with reverence upon this earth. We pray Jesus, our reverend friend, that you bless these graduates of 2009… with the desire to express their love for you in service of their sisters and brothers. We pray, Spirit of God, that you bless these young women and men with the passion for justice, the courage of their convictions, and the fire of your love," said Sr. Genevra.

After the invocation, Katie Harrington, president of the senior class, welcomed everyone to the commencement exercises.

"We are honored you could join us on this special day. We are grateful to our parents, teachers, coaches, and counselors for all they have done for us. We will take many of the lessons we have learned from you," said Harrington.

John R. Foye, salutatorian, echoed the gratitude expressed to parents, and staff and faculty, and extended it to his fellow classmates.

"High school boils down to the relationships you make. You don’t remember the morning assemblies, the tests, or the homework assignments. You remember the people," said Foye.

"Be confident in yourself. We have a lot to do for this world. Unfortunately our parents’ and grandparents’ generations have left us with a lot of work to do on a global scale. I think our class can do great things. So good luck, be active, and do what you love," he said.

"I would like to begin my remarks today by addressing directly our graduating seniors. You are an outstanding class indeed," said Rick Bartman, principal.

The Class of 2009 earned an overall gpa of 3.31 and 41 percent of the class graduated with honors. College-bound seniors were awarded a total of over $12.5 million in scholarships and renewable grants.

"And perhaps most impressively of all, as a class, you have contributed over 20,000 hours of service to the community, nearly 10,000 in your senior year alone," he said.

"When you began your education – so long ago, back in the 90s – one of the first lessons you received was your ABCs. Remember, A is for Apple, B is for Ball," said Bartman.

"While we think about the Bs, I offer a new lesson for you as you look forward: Be the change you want to see in the world. For any of us who have sat through graduations before, that’s a pretty standard commencement message. What makes it meaningful to this class is this: you have already started on this path. You are already out there working for it. You are the change you seek. Through Christian Service, volunteer work, travels to Paraguay and Mexico, from marching for Invisible Children and raising money for Cambodia, you have exhibited your social conscience and capacity for service in concrete ways.

"Be a work in progress. Never, ever stop learning, or exploring, or asking why. Do not be afraid of change. Change is an important part of growth, as we should all be learning and improving every day of our lives. Ask yourself often how you can do more, try harder, or be better. Be the one who remains a lifelong learner.

"In a world where you be can anything, be yourself. We have learned from a very young age that God has created us in his image, in his likeness. He has given each one of us a special, separate, and singular soul. In other words … there is no one else in this world just like you.

"Do well and always remember to do good. And last of all … be happy," said Bartman.

After the principal’s remarks, Ramira Alamilla, director of college counseling, and Doctor Paul Savage, senior class advisor, presented the graduates. Sister Catherine Kamphaus, superintendent of Catholic schools of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, and Bartman conferred the diplomas. Then, Harrington and Carina Matonis led the Rte of Changing the Tassel that preceded the valedictory address by Dane J. Brodke, valedictorian.

"In January of this year, I had a college interview at Starbucks on Ninth and Ninth. Nursing a latte, my interview predictably asked about my favorite academic subjects, my extracurricular (activities) and sports, my summer service work, and my plans for the future. I was cruising along, feeling pretty confident that I had all the blanks filled in properly. Then he asked one final question: ‘What do you think is the meaning of life?’" said Brodke.

He said he sat quietly for a moment until he realized life for him is not only about doing the things for which he is passionate.

"Life for me is really about the people I share it with. I don’t know what the interviewer thought of that answer. But it was an answer I couldn’t help but give coming from Judge Memorial.

"The world we live in is a playground, full of fun things to do and unique ways to interact with the people who define our lives. To the Class of 2009: Good morning. The day is beginning. The sun has just come up. Let’s go out, live life, and have a good time," said Brodke.

"If you’ve learned something at Judge Memorial, you’ve learned… to call the presence of the loving and forgiving God and to name that presence… You are called to name beauty when you see it, and to name the author of that beauty," said the most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

Students have also learned to name love, success, bigotry, injustice, and poverty, and to respond accordingly, he said.

"Above all, you are called to name gratitude, the gratitude I know is deep within your hearts as we celebrate your graduation today. And, actually all of us are filled with gratitude because you graduates and all of us here today have the grace of knowing we can name our God," said Bishop Wester before giving his blessing.

The ceremony concluded with the singing of the school’s Alma Mater and the recession of graduates.