Fifty-eight seniors at Seton High School participated in a commencement Mass at All Saints Catholic Church on Monday evening and then were the stars in the graduation exercises that followed.
The graduates received congratulations from five speakers, including U.S. House of Representatives member Jeffrey Fortenberry, R-Neb., who said called it “a special privilege to be with you graduates on his special occasion.”
The theme of Fortenberry’s commencement address was “What are you going to do with your life?”
“This is quite a difficult question to answer,” he told the graduates, but stressed to them to be “very proud of what you have already achieved.”
“You are going to be distracted along the way but stay grounded. Don’t be afraid to make changes in your life; if there is something you don’t like, work to change it,” said Fortenberry, adding, “I look forward to reading about your accomplishments in the future.”
Fortenberry pointed out changes in his life.
“As a youngster I thought it would be great to be a trash collector — riding on the back of the truck and looking at people’s trash. I’ve had many career changes but always wanted to go into public service and now I’m in a very honorable profession.”
Lisa Lynn Hill gave the salutatory address.
“On behalf of the Class of 2009 thank you all for coming tonight,”she said. “The Class of 2009 will not be discouraged by anything or anyone — having experienced exceptional achievements with many outstanding endeavors along the way. Congratulations.”
There were two valedictory addresses, from Rachel Katherine LaVigne and Danielle Marie deLatour.
“The years we were in school were wonderful,” said deLatour, noting the Class of 2009 has gained “high respect.”
LaVigne said, “Our efforts have come to this happy conclusion tonight. We are beginning the next part of our journey in life.”
The Rev. Father James Searby was the celebrant at the Mass and told the graduates, “It is an honor to be with you.”
He added, “Each of you will play your part in the future — making the world stand on its feet. You are celebrating a new and awesome adventure tonight. In the future, come by at any time; we are here to serve you.”
Also receiving diplomas from Anne W. Carroll, director, were:
Jacob Thomas Akers, Thomas Gage Arnold, Olivia Rose Aveni, Catherine Sue Bergmann, Gregory Leo Bliss, Jonathan Andrew Boron, Timothy Brendan Ciskanik, Alexander Francis Crawford, Alexandra Ryan Cummings, Amanda Dawn Drone, Peter Anthony Duran, Kevin Davis Elam, Jeremy Vincent Flynn, Joshua Michael Flynn, Margaret Mary Franke, Melanie Grace Gott, Marianna Alane Griffin, Mary Elizabeth Hall, Alexander Randolph Harrill, David Robert William Harris, Anne Moore Heim, Ann Marie Henebery and Claire Marie Hetrick.
Also, Veronica Anne Holmes, Whitney Danielle Hood, Jacqueline Anne Hook, John Paul Kelly, Mary Katherine Kenna, Kelsey Elizabeth Kleb, Kaitlyn Mary Kohlhaas, Sierra Noelle Krynitsky, Martin Adan La Torre, Marion Angela Lozano, Alexis Nicole Maenza, Theresa Lyn McCullough, Elizabeth Ann Mooney, Emily Clarie Moshetto, James Frederick Munson, Maureen Elizabeth Myers, Brian John Nagurny, Michael John O’Donnell, Clement Matthew O’Reilly, Kathryn Marie Ostrich, James Stanley Powers, Kristin Marie Rafter, Stephanie Helen Rubin, Michael Zared Salomon, Sarah Alyse Sewell, Margaret Erinn Shaw, Danielle Marie Smith, Fredrick Richard Terling, Christian Alexander Vestermark, Daniel Joseph Wheeler, Elizabeth Rose Wittman and Shiloh Danielle Wolfrey.
Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.
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