Juan Diego Catholic High School graduates 163 in class of 2008

Intermountain Catholic

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Bishop John C. Wester of the Diocese of Salt Lake City helps Meredith Fall adjust her cap and bobby pins.

Note: coverage of the St. Joseph Catholic High School and Judge Memorial Catholic High School graduations appeared in the May 30 issue of the Intermountain Catholic.

DRAPER — From the first fresh rose laid at the base of the statue of Saint Juan Diego May 24 in the rose garden in the high school’s plaza, to the last 2008 graduate who left the auditorium after the commencement exercises, the school’s theme: Spiritus Donorum (the Spirit of Giving) and the theme of the 2008 class, Unity, permeated the ceremonies.

The class of 2008, after they attended the diocesan Chrism Mass and saw the following scripture passage, adopted it as their own: "Behold how good and pleasant it is when friends live together in unity." (Ps. 133) Words that encouraged the class to form closer personal relationships.

Ninety-seven percent of the 2008 graduate have been accepted at major colleges and universities, and the graduates, as a group, earned $6.4 million. Sixty-three percent of the graduates are already taking college level courses. As the school’s principal Dr. Gabriel (Galey) Colosimo read the many honors this class already had earned, the students grinned and smiled at each other, obviously proud of each others’ accomplishments.

Their emphasis on unity also assisted the class in breaking down barriers and emphasized the fact that the students were guided through the year by the Holy Spirit.

Valedictorian TheresaXuan Pham spoke of the school taking her on a personal journey – from being a work-a-holic to a young woman who had found God and who has now learned to

"embrace every moment." Her experiences at Juan Diego Catholic High School moved her from an overfocused young woman of "scattered memories," to a "mature young woman of dreams."

The class of 2008 had two Salutatorians, Alina Aimie Borchardt and Rebecca Mary Bradley. Borchardt spoke of being a painfully quiet young woman who learned from her teachers that "greatness comes from the ability to share of yourself." She learned she could make the biggest impression on others by her deeds and by becoming a positive influence on others. "This sense of unity and truth will open a multitude of doors for us," Borchardt said.

Bradley shared a story about one day on which everything went wrong, and the school helped her through projects, quizzes, arguments with classmates, and spilled lunch. "Everyone has a story of mistakes and failures," she said. "They make you stronger, and they help you face every moment with your best foot forward.

Awards significant to the school were given to outstanding students and teachers: Elliott Schatten was given the St. Thomas Aquinas Award; Meredith Fall earned the St. Teresa of Avila Award; Stephanie Bertumen earned the St. Cecilia Award; Devin Kallas was given the Saint Sebastian Award, Teacher Sherry Evans was given the Saint Michael the Archangel Award, and Father John Norman was given the Spiritus Donorum Award. Later, Dr. Galey Colosimo and John Colosimo were given the Spiritus Donorum Honor by Most Reverend John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

As John Colosimo, assistant principal read out each name, the graduates filed downstage to receive their diplomas from Bishop Wester.

Bishop Wester spoke in gratitude of Holy Cross Sisters Catherine Kamphaus, superintendent of Catholic schools and Genevra Rolff, assistant superintendent, and of Dr. Colosimo, the faculty of Juan Diego Catholic High School, the staff, the school’s administration, its parents, and its alumni.

"We are all very proud of these graduates and this school," the bishop said.

He spoke of the importance of names and the significance of the students hearing their own names called out at graduation. He also spoke of the importance of protecting our names and our identities, but said, "our greater fear is that no one knows your names… We fear anonymity: not being recognized, never being affirmed and called by name."

The bishop said perhaps the most important thing the graduates had learned at Juan Diego Catholic High School was who they are and their identities in relationship to others. Through campus ministry they learned to worship and pray. The school has taught them service to others in the community, how to help the needy, the poor, and strangers, and how to see God’s face in the poor and the stranger. At Juan Diego they also have made valued friendships, and learned the meaning of loyalty, commitment, and service.

"You have learned that you have been called by name by God: that you have been loved into existence, and sustained in that love," Bishop Wester said. "You are called to the goal of taking that love into eternal life.

"Today, you are called by name again as you receive your diplomas," he said. "Your parents called you by name at birth. The priest or deacon called you by name at your baptism, the bishop or minister of your church called you by name at Confirmation or another ceremony… You know that you are loved; you know that people cherish your name

"Now, as you take this next step, do the same for others. Name injustice and fight for the truth. Name poverty and give of yourselves to enrich others. Name prejudice and welcome the stranger in our midst. Name hatred and bring love into a broken world.

"What’s in a name? Everything! We cherish you as we call you by name.

"Never forget ‘that at Jesus’ name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: Jesus Christ is Lord!"

Top, salutatorian Alina Borchardt speaks to her classmates about their academic journey so far, and where they’ll be headed. At left, Bishop John C. Wester of the Diocese of Salt Lake City helps Meredith Fall adjust her cap and bobby pins. Below, class leader Eduardo Santana leads the 2008 Juan Diego graduates in the changing of the tassel.