In her address to fellow graduates on June 4, Salutatorian Lia Finnegan declared that memories of the last four years at Marist High School would not fade with time. Memories for Finnegan might include intense tennis competition or the first class trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Finnegan, who is a teacher at her parish, excelled in history, which she intends to teach after she graduates from LaSalle University.
“Moments like this give us time to reflect on graduation and the paths that brought us here,” Finnegan said. “Significant people and events.”
During these four years, these students celebrated the 60th anniversary of the school’s opening, one of those memories that Finnegan said never fade
Though now a Roman Catholic, coed, college-preparatory high school in Bayonne near the Jersey City border, Marist started as an all-boys school. It became co-ed in the 1990s, among a number of changes the school has gone through over its six-decade history. Most Marist students come from Bayonne or Jersey City, although a number make the trek from towns throughout New Jersey.
“This school,” Finnegan said, “provided us with the tools to excel.”
Finnegan not only ranked number two for-grade point average in the graduating class, but also received first honors in religion and history, and this year was awarded the George and Regina Matthews Scholarship.
A graduation ritual
The Saturday afternoon graduation ceremony took place in the school auditorium, a place where for more than an hour prior to the start, parents, siblings and well-wishers gathered, all waiting for the moment when 85 graduates would take their first steps out of childhood and into the adult world beyond.
Crowded into rows of medal folding chairs or on the bleachers along three sides of the gym, the onlookers clutched programs or clusters of balloons, struggling not to yell out as graduates, dressed in blue gowns, made their way into the hall.
Graduates this year qualified for more than $8.7 million in total scholarships and grants, and were accepted to some of the most prestigious schools in the region.
“The word that defines this class is competitive,” said Christopher Cassaro, Dean of Academics for Marist.
Although 2016 was a disappointing year for sports, in prior years, the class athletes did extremely well.
But Cassaro said the class excelled in leadership, and had a diversity of talent, from sports to arts and music.
“They raised the bar for those who will come after them,” Cassaro said.
Top honors to top students
The top ten students in the class of 2016 included Valedictorian Denesia Mitchell, Finnegan, Minh Le, Casey Ambrosio, Nicole Caceres, Tinoula Orguntola, Mariam Meshriky, Daphne Sapit, and Keith Estrellado.
As well as finishing with the third-highest grade-point average, Le also finished first in English, second in history, mathematics, and science.
Caceres received first honors in the MedQuest program, which is geared toward the medical profession. She was also awarded The American Red Cross High School Scholarship. Ambrosio received the Caritas Award for outstanding service to Marist High School.
Estrellado received this year’s Champagnat Award for unassuming loyalty to Marist High School.
Also recognized at the graduation was Madison Sanderlin, who finished second in the MedQuest area; Melvin David who received recognition for his studies in Spanish; Jesse Matos received the Marist Student-Athlete Award; and Brandon Rivera received the Bayonne Rotary Club Citizenship Award.
The small things matter
Like Finnegan, Valedictorian Denesia Mitchell was an athlete and a scholar, winning awards for her play on the basketball court while earning grades that gave her the top grade point average this year. She also finished second with honors in religion and English, but first in Mathematics and science. She also received The Royal Knight of Marist High School, which is given to a graduate who shows excellence in academics, athletics, and school involvement.
She will attend the New York Institute of Technology in the fall.
Mitchell spoke about the more mundane memories she recalled during the last four years, ironic details that made many of her fellow graduates nod and laugh, although she also moved some to tears, as if many realized only at that moment the things they would leave behind.
So fixed on leaving school, many did not seem prepared for the nostalgia that Mitchell’s speech evoked.
But Mitchell also said that while they were finishing their careers as high school students, “This is just the start. Things do get better,” she assured them
Craig Carbone, Dean of Students, gave the graduates parting advice.
“Try your key on every door,” he said. “Some doors will open easily. Some will take more effort. But things worthwhile in life take more effort.”
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.