Congratulations, Judge Memorial CHS Class of 2025
SALT LAKE CITY — Dark skies and pouring rain did not dim the spirits of Judge Memorial Catholic High School’s Class of 2025 as the seniors filled the Abravanel Hall stage on May 18 for their commencement exercises.
The invocation was given by Associate Superintendent of Schools Nikki Ward. Then, following a greeting from Student Body President Delaney Dolan, the students heard from Salutatorian Mia Giovanniello, who paid tribute to classmate Nuer Deng, who was tragically killed last summer.
“Though Nuer can’t be physically here for our graduation, he is here in spirit, and he is here in how he impacted all of us as we all go on to build communities in the future,” she said.
“There’s a reason why every single student talks about the Judge community,” she continued. “It’s because the community here at Judge truly is special, and the reason it’s so special is us, everyone sitting here on stage with me [because] my peers, my fellow graduates – they have shaped this community.”
Principal Patrick Lambert also honored Deng in his remarks.
“Nuer Deng was an energetic source of joy wherever he went,” he said. “His enthusiasm for life was infectious to all around. When Nuer walked the halls, joy and laughter were close to follow.”
Lambert went on to highlight Mary Judge, the school’s founder, who had a tremendous impact on Utah’s early Catholic community and its charitable works in the state.
“Let us follow in her footsteps in valuing the relationships around us near and far and lifting our horizons to a cause larger than ourselves,” he said. “Let our own works create a ripple effect of good in this world.”
In her valedictory speech, Kira Grantz highlighted memorable class experiences such as the service the students performed, the challenges they overcame and the support they gave each other through difficult times.
“We’re an infinite amount of experiences and moments that would, put together, make up who we are,” she said. “And I’m confident in saying that all of these experiences have made each and every one of us resilient, caring and all-around critical people. I’m so proud to be part of this amazing class.”
Grantz encouraged her classmates to remain close to the Judge community and to use their voices for good.
“Next year, we will all be on our own, but we will not be alone,” she said. “I implore you to stay in touch and know that we’re cheering you on. This community loves you, and I love you. So, as we walk toward new beginnings, I hope you walk with confidence. And more than anything, I hope you use your voices to make the world a better place.”
Keynote speaker Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder and CEO of Bumble, urged the students to stay connected to themselves, to God or a higher power and to others.
“It gets tough out there, it gets fun, it gets magical, but it gets scary,” said Herd, a member of the JMCHS Class of 2007. “And if you can learn how to befriend yourself right now, right here, and start to really make this such an important part of your lives, I promise you, you will never feel alone.”
She concluded by encouraging the graduates to believe in themselves and their abilities.
“Chase your dreams; you have nothing to lose. Remember, ‘if you can dream it, you can do it,’” she said quoting Walt Disney.
Father Christopher Gray, pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Park City and a JMCHS Class of ’01 graduate, also spoke during the commencement exercises. He highlighted the resilience of the graduates, who lived through 9/11, the Covid pandemic and many other challenges, and encouraged them to stay true to the faith.
‘Your life ahead is way, way more valuable than what we have just been living through these last 18 years, this time of crisis you have courageously endured,” he said. “It is, however, I assure you, not how it has always been, and it cannot continue. There is a great hope for something new, and that hope is you. … May you hold tightly to the faith, the hope above that God has given you.”
Judge Memorial Catholic High School Class of 2025
142 graduates
• 80 Honor graduates
• 3 AP Capstone graduates
• Acceptances at 186 schools
• Total scholarship money earned: $23.6 million
Valedictorian: Kira Grantz
Salutatorian: Mia Giovanniello
National Merit Scholars: Kira Grantz, Corrinne Higgins, Alexander Varra
School Award Winners
Christ the King: Delaney Dolan and Noah Crossman
First Ascent Scholarship: Christian Padilla Fragrasso
The Blessed Oscar Romero Scholarship: Achol Daw, Christian Padilla Fragrasso, Charlie Lewis, Marcella Leyva, Victoria Pinycleu
Scholar-athlete award winners
Bill Moran Award Football: Texas Wilde
Marjorie Pierce Award Outstanding Female Athlete: Achol Daw
Jim Yerkovich Award for Basketball: Deng Deng
Frank Klekas Outstanding Male Athlete: Texas Wilde
Linda Simpson Bulldog of the Year Award: Delaney Dolan and Noah Crossman
Triple “A” Award: Amelia Connor and Zachary Farr
AP Capstone: Oliver Cockle, Ela Futch and Henry Krauss
Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City Award for Outstanding Scholar Activities: Kira Grantz, Diego Mejia
Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City Award for Athletics: Matthew Eager, Corrine Higgins
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