Congratulations, Graduates: Juan Diego CHS

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DRAPER — Faculty and staff at Juan Diego again went the extra mile this year for graduates, hosting six separate ceremonies on May 29 at the Skaggs Catholic Center so that all of the students and their families could enjoy safe, socially distant commencement exercises.

Last year because of the pandemic, the school hosted nine ceremonies over two days.

At the beginning of the May 29 ceremonies, each member of the Soaring Eagle senior class laid a rose in the Grotto of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They then entered the school’s auditorium through a specially built platform where they inscribed their name into the Book of Graduates and were individually highlighted before proceeding to the stage.

At each of the graduation ceremonies, the school’s principal, Dr. Galey Colosimo, welcomed the graduates and their families. During his remarks, Colosimo commented on the song “Here I Am, Lord” by Jesuit Dan Schutte, which was played as the graduates took their seats.

“As we close the door on COVID-19, while we celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2021, it is one of the most powerful songs for us to sing and reflect upon,” he said. The song is “asking us whenever we are called to face hardships like what the whole world is enduring right now, in the spring of our senior season, to do so in the hope that God will be there for us. It is saying, ‘Here I am, God; I’m really afraid but I’m going to walk through this journey of life with you by my side.’ Students, maybe this is what we were supposed to have learned this past year and if we do so, it could be a gift for life.”

Valedictorian Keegan Gilbert and Salutatorians Preston Bath and Samantha Lengerich each spoke at two ceremonies. Gilbert expressed his appreciation to the faculty, staff and parents for the past four years, in particular their efforts during this pandemic year.

“Although it was far from normal, our faculty, staff, and parents cared enough about each of us, and did whatever possible to make it a fantastic year filled with memories and as close to normal experiences as possible,” he said.

Gilbert said that when it came time to write his speech, he went to YouTube for inspiration but “I realized that all I have ever wanted was to tell you how you have changed my life, and how you have given me the best four years I could have asked for, and I had the chance to do just that.”

“The main story line of high school was YOU,” he told his fellow students. “The ones who made this place feel like home in the hardest times. The ones who made me excited to walk into school every day. The ones who gave me something to smile and laugh about.”

Lengerich, a track runner, compared the students’ high school journey to her running career at Juan Diego.

“What I’ve discovered is that what drives this passion, what connects me to the sport of track – is a reflection of what it means to be a Soaring Eagle,” she said. “Our time at Juan Diego has shown us that we will always have our own infield cheering us on. We have been given the courage to ask for help, and the wisdom to lean into the support that others are willing to give. We now go confidently into the world knowing that we have the resources to succeed and plenty of loved ones who will support us in our next race.”

Preston Bath spoke of the “lasts” he experienced in recent weeks, including his last high school baseball game.

“Fortunately, though, the ‘last’ only ends in a new beginning,” he said. “Wherever life takes us, we must remember how important it is to use our gifts in a powerful way. Education of posterity, innovation in various fields to make society more efficient and sustainable, or even intercession for all of us who need it. We each have an equal opportunity to make someone’s life better or many lives better. We each have the chance to make this world a more beautiful place, a sanctuary for everyone to enjoy. The only question facing us is if we will take on the responsibility to make the world a better place. It all begins with us, the Class of 2021, and others will follow suit.”

Following the speeches, a prerecorded musical number “Yes, I Will” performed by some of the graduates, and a slideshow recognizing the awards members of the class had received, Colosimo presented the JDCHS Class of 2021 with their diplomas.

Graduates then assembled at the south entrance rather than the traditional bell tower assembly for photos and to toss their caps. All the ceremonies were livestreamed and will remain on the school’s YouTube channel.

This year’s 174 graduates performed more than 10,000 hours of service during their four years at the school.