Class of 2011 soars from Juan Diego Catholic High School

Intermountain Catholic

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The Juan Diego Catholic High School Class of 2011 processes into the school's auditorium for commencement excercises; 59 seniors graduated with honors and 36 with membership in the National Honor Society.

DRAPER – Juan Diego Catholic High School’s emphasis on academics was exemplified by the Class of 2011: Out of 190 graduating students, 59 graduated with honors and 36 with membership in the National Honor Society.

For the commencement ceremony May 28, the Juan Diego Catholic High School auditorium couldn’t fit one more person – a special room had to be opened for the overflow guests.

Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, presided over the event.

While family and guests were gathering in the auditorium, the members of the Class 2011 processed to the school’s grotto to offer a prayer together. Each student placed a rose at the foot of the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe as a symbol of the life and hope associated with graduating and moving on to new challenges.

Then members of the administration and faculty, wearing academic regalia, led the graduation procession into the auditorium, followed by the soon-to-be-graduated students.

"It’s my pleasure to welcome all," said John Colosimo, Juan Diego vice principal. He introduced the honored guests, Msgr. Fitzgerald and Holy Cross Sister Catherine Kamphaus, superintendent of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

"We gather here today to celebrate the achievements of the graduation Class of 2011 from Juan Diego Catholic School," said Sr. Kamphaus in the invocation. "We thank you, dear God, for the opportunity of a Catholic education and for the sacrifices of the parents and the teachers."

In his remarks, Dr. Galey Colosimo, Juan Diego principal, noted that Msgr. Fitzgerald’s presiding at the commencement ceremony was one of his last official actions for the diocese; Msgr. Fitzgerald will retire on June 4.

"I’m gratified," Colosimo said. "If it was not for Msgr. Fitzgerald, there would not be a Juan Diego Catholic High School," he said, referring to Msgr. Fitzgerald’s efforts to secure funding for the Skaggs Catholic Center and build the three schools it houses.

Samantha Nicole Schumm was the valedictorian and Natalie Renee McMullen was the salutatorian of the Class of 2011.

"The Class of 2011 is proud and honored to represent Juan Diego," said Schumm.

"When I started this year I couldn’t believe I was a senior," said McMullen, "and here I am today. Regardless where we’ll be, we will always remember where we came from with pride."

Msgr. Fitzgerald and Dr. Colosimo presented each honoree student with their diploma and medallion.

In his remarks, Msgr. Fitzgerald referred to the students as "achievers who have been very blessed for the unique Catholic education they received."

After receiving their diplomas, each member of the graduating class recorded their name in the Book of Graduates. This book is signed by all the graduation classes of Juan Diego Catholic High School, becoming a part of the high school legacy.

After all the students signed the book, the Class of 2011, led by the student body officers and senior class president, changed their tassels from the left to the right side as a symbol that the degree had been conferred.

"I’m very proud and happy, and excited," said graduating senior Seira Kosakai after the ceremony; she plans to attend college in Japan.