Judge Memorial Class of 2012
SALT LAKE CITY — The Judge Memorial Catholic High School Class of 2012 celebrated its graduation ceremony at Abravanel Hall on May 27.
As is customary, the high school faculty entered first, followed by the 161 graduating seniors, who were seated on the stage of the auditorium.
Judge Memorial Principal Rick Bartman welcomed all present, saying that it was an honor to have them together. He then presented Hannah J. Brodke, student body president.
"We are truly honored to be here today. We are grateful to our parents, teachers, counselors and coaches for all they have done for us," said Brodke.
The salutatory address was presented by Elizabeth A. Gibbs. The Rite of Changing of the Tassel was presented by senior class officers Anthony Fratto Oyler, Adeline Diamond and Virgina Hicks. The Yearbook presentation was performed by Erica Azad, Alexandra Clark and Cassandra Cokl; and the Literary Magazine presentation was by Nicole Burnett and Nicholas Brown. All of them were presented to Holy Cross Sister Catherine Kamphaus, superintendent of Utah Catholic Schools, and the Most Reverend John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City.
Valedictorian Gabrielle T. Ghabash responded to the challenge of answering the question, "What do you want to be?" with her own question: When would they be able to answer "I am …" to the query.
"I believe education, and maybe even life, isn’t segmented into perfect chunks with distinct changes from one thing to another. It’s all about constant growth and change. Like we can’t pinpoint the moment we became friends, the important thing is that we did," Ghabash said. "Certificates, recognition and ceremonies are nice. I’m so honored to be speaking and I do want my diploma and for my surgeon to have one too, but these things aren’t the point. These things are reminders of success or growth or whatever you want to call it, but they aren’t the actual thing. By these measures Bach wasn’t a composer, Galileo wasn’t a scientist, and Thoreau couldn’t write…. Today isn’t a hello or a goodbye, a beginning or an end. It isn’t a change of state, but a celebration of the changes that already happened and the ones still to come. We are here today, where the past and future combine, not because today is graduation, but because that’s just the definition of the present, to celebrate, not who we were and will become, but who we are today."
The Class of 2012 is accomplished: 44 percent graduated with honors, and the class as a whole was awarded more than $16.3 million in scholarships and grants.
The class has one National Merit finalist and two commended students. One senior earned Academic All-State in two sports and 24 student-athletes were nominated for Academic All-State. The girls’ swim team took its ninth state title in 10 years, while the girls’ tennis and hockey also claimed state championships. A senior was recognized by the Utah State Poetry Society; another was selected for publication in Aerie International.
In his congratulatory remarks, Bishop Wester said that Catholic schools have gone through incredible changes in the 12 years that the graduates have been in school. "Your commitment has been critical in passing on the faith," he said, reminding them about the four dismissals of the Mass, each of which begins with ‘Go’: Go forth, the Mass is ended; Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord; go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life; or simply, go in peace.
"Nourished by God’s Word and Sacrament at Mass, we then are called to GO and live what we have celebrated. Go and BE whom we have become in Christ, members of his Body, the Church," Bishop Wester said. "Now is the time to go. There will be many challenges, but you are all well prepared."
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