Judge Memorial graduates are urged to move toward a future of mercy, kindness and love
Friday, Jun. 03, 2016
Marie Mischel/Intermountain Catholic
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By Marie Mischel
Intermountain Catholic
SALT LAKE CITY — The members of Judge Memorial Catholic High School’s Class of 2016 “are both the continuation of the glorious past and the hope of a bright future” at the 95-year-old institution, Principal Patrick Lambert said as he spoke at the May 29 commencement exercise, held at Abravanel Hall.
During his comments, Lambert urged the new graduates to continue to strive for knowledge, to take time to reflect before acting, and to treat others with kindness.
“In your continued pursuit of excellence, may you be people of compassion and empathy, may you be agents of positive change in our world,” he said to the graduates, who cumulatively have received more than $16.5 million in scholarships and renewable grants to the colleges and universities of their choice.
The Class of 2016 valedictorian was Maria Stokes, who was a peer minister, a National Honor Society officer and co-captain of the cross country team, among other activities. She was honored as the “Youth of the Year” by the Salt Lake Exchange Club for her community service involvement and academic success.
In her valedictorian speech, Stokes pointed out that people enjoy winning, but “our world does not need more people racing towards finish lines. We need to contemplate what actions our goals demand and how they fit into the pattern of a greater dynamic.”
Stokes urged her classmates to form a community, to “allow others into our lives who challenge our perspectives and broaden our horizons. … We need to transcend our limited desires by looking to the uplifting people we can name around ourselves. Right now, look toward someone who can help enhance your person, and don’t overlook that friendship.”
People can’t always win, but “we can add to all that humanity has if we refuse to accept our limited understanding and seek higher realities, demanding more from every facet of our person,” she said. “Let yourself launch into the universal community, moving towards the transcendent. This is what I challenge us all to today. Graduates, as we celebrate our discoveries, reach out to the individuals who can heighten our future endeavors. I can’t wait to hear about them.”
Emanuel Condas, the salutatorian, also, had a challenge for his classmates, parents, family members, and teachers: “to go out and love. … Let this be our legacy,” said Condas, who was a peer minister, member of the debate and mock trial teams, and was inducted in to the National Honor Society, among other honors.
Love is a central tenant of all of the world’s major religions, and “can you imagine how less contentious society would be if we lived in a culture of love?” Condas asked. “You might ask yourself, ‘What can we, some 200 or so high school graduates, do to reduce divisiveness and wield the power of love?’ Well, I would argue that we have already been promoting love through our service and through our everyday actions. All of the service that we have done throughout our four years at Judge are examples of love. … We have already demonstrated our ability to love in small ways and large. We can also do concrete acts of love such as give people the benefit of the doubt, allow for second chances, and refrain from defining others based on a single belief or idea that they have.”
In a similar vein, Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, diocesan administrator, told the graduates that “humility and kindness are the most important things you can take from your experience of being now alumni of Judge Memorial.”
Because of the sacrifice that their families made to send them to JMCHS, “you have a leg up in life, and now you owe society more than the adulation you received today,” Msgr. Bircumshaw said. “You have to give back.”
He also urged the students to find their life’s vocation. “It’s not just about what you’ve gotten, but what you will be giving. It’s not just about the now, but eternity. It’s not just ‘I’ but the ‘we,’” he said. “Your final destination is still heaven. Do everything you can to stay on the narrow path. God wants you to be in the world, but so different from the world by the way you love, by the way you show mercy. And you will change it, at least where you live. So get cracking.”
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