Congratulations, Graduates! St. Joseph Catholic High School

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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OGDEN — On May 25, the St. Joseph Catholic High School Class of 2018 completed their commencement exercises. The class’ 39 members were accepted to more than 60 colleges; almost all of them have received scholarship or grant money that over the next four years will total more than $10.7 million.

During the celebration, theology teacher Noah Banks gave the keynote address.

“I think the Class of 2018 possesses a certain independence, a good rebelliousness, a healthy disobedience,” he said as the students applauded.

Banks then suggested that the students exercise this independence by speaking the truth in situations when things are wrong, and to not be deterred by the discomfort that sometimes comes with being rebellious. He acknowledged the irony in a theology teacher encouraging students to be rebellious. However, independence is valued in the Catholic tradition, he said, pointing to the example of Jesus and his disciples.

“Jesus was crucified essentially for being too stubborn to deny who he was,” Banks said, adding that all but one of the Apostles was martyred “for not being willing to deny what they knew to be true.”

In many different ways the students over the years showed their rebellious spirit, Bank said, and he urged them to continue to ask the tough questions and criticize those in power, and use their independence to stand up for what is right.

The class valedictorian, Francesca Wood, an immigrant from Venezuela, said a high school degree in her home country is not guaranteed, so two years after she arrived here the sacrifice she and her parents made for her education has paid off because like many of her classmates she is heading to college in the fall.

While in the United States a high school diploma is often seen as only a stepping stone to college, worldwide only 45 percent of adults complete high school, she said.

“Today, besides a fancy diploma, we have been given a platform and, as Mr. Hart would say, we have been given a privilege,” she said, adding that, in their own way, her class members “have shown that we care, that we have passion and intellect within us. During the next few years, I hope that we are able to take this passion and implement it into our daily tasks. I hope that we are able to take advantage of the education we have been given, to be vocal and act upon the issues that matter to us. More than anything, I hope that we are able to help those who did not have the advantage of an education such as ours.”

In her speech as salutatorian, Anna Yarema said she was proud of each of her classmates for “both our achievements and our failures, because we learned from them.”

As a freshman she was scared because she barely spoke English and walked into the school halfway through the academic year, she said, but “Students helped me get to every single one of my classes, talked to me, and explained everything that was new to me. Thanks to my classmates I felt accepted and instead of being afraid, I started to work hard towards my academic goals.

“Kindness and respect flow in the veins of our school, and hopefully this will help our graduating class make the world a better place,” she continued, and asked her classmates to remember “all of the good memories and the connections we made.”

As the ceremony drew to a close, Principal Clay Jones told the graduates that “you are now closing a chapter in your life, but don’t make it the best chapter. Let it be the beginning of your journey! … Life is full of transitions and this is just another step for all of you reaching adulthood.”

He also advised them to ask for help when they need it, to not be afraid to fail, because it is part of learning and improving, to explore new subjects, and to take time for themselves.

St. Joseph Catholic High School Awards

Valedictorian: Francesca Wood

Salutatorian: Anna Yarema

Academic Excellence and Rigor: Paige Leland

The Luis Angel Magaña Award (given to seniors who successfully completed seven or more Advanced Placement courses throughout their four years at SJCHS): Matraca Bartel, Paige Leland, Hannah Olsen

St. Joseph Award: Brenda Carrillo

Teacher of the Year: Peggy Barker