Two hundred twelve blue caps were tossed into the sky following the 47th commencement at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie Saturday.
"This marks the beginning of a new life and greater possibilities," the Rev. John Lagiovane, the school's principal, said. "Hopefully, Our Lady of Lourdes has provided them with the academic and spiritual tools to achieve that."
He spoke to the seniors, reminding them of the importance of following their dreams. He told them the story of an 85-year-old woman living in Dayton, Ohio, whose dream was to skydive on her birthday.
"To live without having pursued a dream is to live an unfulfilling life," Lagiovane said. "Dreams are not motivated by fear. They are moved by love, hope and adventure."
He told the class Julius Caesar was epileptic, Thomas Edison was deaf and Winston Churchill stuttered. Obstacles such as these can be overcome, he told the Catholic high school students, through faith.
Valedictorian Kevin Sallah said he was excited thinking of his times spent at the school and the possibilities that lay ahead. He said he felt as though he had just run several marathons.
"We are in the position to change the course of the rest of our lives and, quite possibly, the world itself," Sallah told his classmates. "Class of 2007, we made it."
The students were awarded more than $4 million in college scholarships and grants - the most the school has ever seen in one class, Lagiovane said.
Jaren Canady, 18, is headed to New York University. His mother, Janet, said he'll receive $10,000 a year to fund his education.
"He's a good kid - the life of the party," she said. "We are very, very pleased."
Jacinda Williams, a City of Poughkeepsie resident, had her pick of schools, but chose the University of New Hampshire, where she's earned a full basketball scholarship.
"She's very good. She's had about 12 Division I schools recruiting her," said Jeffrey Williams, the point guard's father. "She's very excited."
Graduate Hilary Atzrott received one of two Parents Organization commencement awards. The awards are given to one young man and one young woman who enthusiastically portrayed school spirit. She also received the National Association of Secondary School Principals' Leadership Award for strong qualities exhibited among the student body.
"I cried twice," said Atzrott, who was student body president.
She'll attend St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia on a $40,000 academic scholarship and plans to pursue investment law.
Paul Wegescheide, who is headed to the University of Pennsylvania to study bioengineering, plans to go on to medical school.
"I'm going to miss it here," he said. "It's been a great four years."Labels: financial aid, free college, free education, high school, scholarship, student loans, study abroad |
