Students honored at Juan Diego Catholic HS

Intermountain Catholic

+ Enlarge

Students carry the medallions that were presented to the honorees by Monsignor J. Terrance Fitzgerald, Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City and by Dr. Galey Colosimo, Principal of Juan Diego Catholic School during the graduation of the class of 2011.

DRAPER – During the celebration of the graduation of 2011, 18 Juan Diego Catholic High School students were awarded high honors.

Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general of the Diocese of Salt Lake City and Dr. Galey Colosimo, principal of Juan Diego Catholic High School, presented each honoree with their award and medallion.

The first set of awards honored the light of the school. The second set of awards honored the light of the family and the last set of awards honored the light of the community.

As part of the first set, the Saint Katherine Drexel Award went to Samantha Schumm. Kelsey McGary was presented with the St. Joseph Award. The St. Francis of Assisi Award was for Evan Makin. Natsumi Alvarez and Guy Todaro received the Juan Diego Awards. The Our Lady of Guadalupe Award was presented to Carmen Voegeli and Marilyn Voravong. Dr. Christine Celestino received the Christ the Teacher Award.

Each of the eight nominees for the St. Thomas de Aquinas Award stood up as his name was called. St. Thomas de Aquinas Award recognizes the senior young man whose love of learning, excellent academic record, classroom participation and religious self-discipline have gained him the respect of the faculty and the admiration of his peers

Of the eight nominees, Scott Williams was called forward to receive the award.

The Saint Teresa of Avila Award, which recognizes the senior young woman whose love of learning, excellent academic record, classroom participation and religious self-discipline have gained her the respect of the faculty and the admiration of her peers, was presented to Katie Mullin.

The Saint Sebastian Award, which recognizes the senior who has demonstrated a Christian spirit in conduct on and off the playing fields and courts, and who has inspired others to a deeper faith and greater love of sports, went to Victoria Shimkus.

The Saint Cecilia Award, which recognizes the senior who has demonstrated excellence as a Christian role model, a student, a person of faith, and most especially who has inspired others by the love of the performing visual arts, was presented to Lauren Rathbun.

The Saint Michael the Archangel Award, which recognizes the faculty or staff member in the school who, through a life of service, a generous heart, a creative spirit, good will, exceptional fidelity, and lasting commitment, has contributed significantly to the mission of the school, was received by Robert Jackson.

The Spiritus Donorum Honor, which recognizes community supporters who have followed their example of the ‘Spirit of giving’ by offering time, talent and resources on behalf of Catholic education, was given to Tricia Heinz, Ron Heinz, Edmond Malouf, Robert Sullivan and Lindsay Atwood.

The Soaring Eagle Class of 2011 had numerous academic achievements. Ninety-nine percent of the 190 graduates are bound for higher educational institutions; 42 percent earned concurrent enrollment college credits. The class boasts two National Merit Finalists.

Among other achievements, the school produced the 3A State Champion Debate team with two debaters who are ranked 18th in the nation, 14 students ranked Superior at the State Drama Festival, five instrumentalists and four vocalists who qualified for the State Solo & Ensemble Festival and 11 musicians who qualified for the State Percussion Festival.

Perhaps most tellingly, the Class of 2011 gave $8,800 and pledged $2,660 to provide tuition aid to future students and raised $3,107 for disaster relief to Japan.