Congratulations, Juan Diego CHS Class of 2024

Friday, May. 31, 2024

DRAPER — Traditions always pour out during the Juan Diego Catholic High School commencement exercises, but this year for the first time in the school history, the celebration was held with pouring rain, too.

The graduation ceremony for JDCHS Class of 2024’s 168 seniors was held May 25 at the Skaggs Catholic Center in Draper. Dr. Galey Colosimo, principal, welcomed the hundreds of family members and friends while holding an open umbrella inside the school’s auditorium. “This is the 23rd time that we have had commencement exercises at Juan Diego, and the first time we have been rained out,” he said.

The Class of 2024 is memorable for other reasons as well, he said, noting that among its members were 42 “lifers” – those who have attended Skaggs Catholic Center schools their entire academic careers.

Salutatorian Yesue Shonon Carter began her speech by stating that she was honored by the recognition because there were “many qualified, amazing candidates, so when my name was called, I was in shock and then immediately emotional. Not only was I chosen to represent my class but to write a speech on one of the most memorable days of our lives.”

The first day she entered the Skaggs Center she was overwhelmed by the size of the building and the number of students, she said, “But the moment I walked into my first-class period, I felt a sense of welcome. And yes, we were a bunch of immature middle-schoolers going through puberty, but these people in my grade showed signs of compassion and community that I had never experienced before.” 

Recalling the experiences that her class had through Covid, Carter said that as soon as people started taking their masks off, “We realized we didn’t even know what our teachers and peers looked like. But, as the Class of 2024, we wanted to show the school who we are. So, our class started the ‘bleed blue’ movement, keeping our navy blue class color to show that we have the same passion and unity as freshman year.”

Carter also thanked the teachers who “are like our second parents, who worked on making us the people we are today. I could promise that each and every one of us have at least one teacher in mind that has impacted our lives forever.”

Like Carter, Valedictorian Aidan James Mulligan recalled his first days at the Skaggs Center, which for him started in first grade.

“Having just moved here from South Africa, I didn’t know that I was about to strike it rich in the JD Gold Rush,” he said, and placed the golden nugget that he was holding in his hand in a bag, explaining that each nugget he was going to add to the bag represented a life lesson the Class of 2024 discovered at the Skaggs Center.

“The first golden nugget that we discovered at [Saint John the Baptist Elementary School] was the value of our community,” he said, recalling a vegetable garden where, as elementary students, they became a little community of tomato growers.

“In middle school, things became more … awkward. Then Covid hit, and we missed half of eighth grade. … Middle school taught us resilience in the face of the pandemic and all the trouble we got ourselves into,” he said placing another golden nugget in the bag.

Starting high school was a nerve-wracking experience, he said. “However, our class soon found a place in the JD community, thanks to some upperclassmen aid. We had so many older kids to look up to. ... Thanks to our mentors, we learned the value of help. Humility to accept help was the third nugget of wisdom we discovered on our journey.”

The fourth and fifth nuggets, which the class learned in their sophomore year, were independence and discovery, he said. 

“As we grew older, we took harder classes and coaches relied on us more. … We quickly learned to be mentors to the next generation of JD students, giving advice to underclassmen through clubs and sports,” he said. “It was being a mentor that earned us our sixth nugget.”

The seventh nugget, if the Class of 2024 chooses, is the will to make the most of every opportunity before it’s gone, he said.

“When we leave these doors, we will meet a wide world of possibilities,” he said. “We will go to college, trade school, work, a gap year, or do something else entirely. Whatever you do, remember this. We may have found seven nuggets, but there are still so many lessons waiting for you to discover. So go out prospecting and find them. As for me, I will always keep my little bag of lessons close at hand. Who knows when a little golden nugget might come in handy?”

Commencement exercises continued with the presentation of diplomas, changing of the tassels and a closing prayer offered by Mark Longe, superintendent of Utah Catholic Schools.

The JDCHS Class of 2024 extended their gratitude to their parents, faculty, administrators, to the Skaggs family members, and to all the people who made their educational journey possible with their generosity, dedication and support.

Juan Diego CHS Class of 2024

168 graduates

$17.8 million in renewable four-year scholarships

18,693 service hours 

Juan Diego Award: Aiden James Mulligan

Spiritus Donorum Honor: Dr. Jim Duane

Saint Therese of Avila Award: Olivia Madeleine Young

Saint Sebastian Award: Grayson Marie Gagnon

Saint Cecilia Award: Jazmin Malika Asmar

Christ the Teacher Award: Amanda de Roda

Saint Katherine Drexel Award: Maude Poirier

Saint Christopher Award: Jessica Claire Lindsey

Saint Joseph Award: Elizabeth Cruz Villalvazo

Saint Francis of Assisi Award: Danielle Kathleen Colosimo

Amyntor Award: Angelo Sirianni Lewis