Saint Joseph Catholic High School Class of 2011

Intermountain Catholic

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St. Joseph Senior Class President Taylor Nefcy leads the Class of 2011 in the changing of the tassels, signifying they are now graduates. IC photo/Christine Young

OGDEN — The Saint Joseph Catholic High School Class of 2011 bid farewell to its 48 classmates at the graduation ceremony held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church May 18. This was the 55th class to graduate from the school.

The Class of 2011 was given advice for the real world in Luke Sager’s keynote address. Sager, the Pacific Alliance for Catholic Education junior class theology, algebra and geometry teacher, encouraged the graduates to always say ‘Thank you,’ go on adventures and never sit around wishing for something.

"Go out and do it," he said. "Also, take lots of pictures because people will want to see them and you’ll want them for memories. Enjoy the little things because when you get older you’ll realize they are the spice in life. And be great. I have no doubt you’ll all become great."

Sager also referred to the movie "Zombieland" and used it to talk about apathy. "Many people are apathetic and simply don’t care about their own life or the lives of others," he said. "Go out into the world and conquer apathy, care about the world and see to it that others care about it, too."

Salutatorian Meg Baker said the Class of 2011 has always been a class that stood out, had super heroes, unending passions and incredible talents.

"Each of us will keep growing and reaching new boundaries," she said. "It wasn’t always easy, but looking back, everything that happened made us who we are, and we’ll always be great."

Baker gave special recognition to valedictorian Yujin Hong, saying she is brilliant, funny, has an incredible imagination, works hard and is truly deserving of every award and honor she received.

In her valedictorian address, Hong spoke to her fellow graduates about coming home. "We are leaving Saint Joseph, but wherever we are going it will be home, although we may get lost along the way," said Hong. "Like it says in the opening of the movie ‘Patch Adams,’ ‘All of life is coming home.’ Home is like a goal. I hope all of us will have strength to find our way home. If we are there for one another and stay in touch, eventually we will get home."

Holy Cross Sister Catherine Kamphaus, superintendent of Catholic Schools, said the Saint Joseph graduating class carries with it a lot of tradition, expectation, love and faith.

"Graduation is a milestone, but only one step on the journey to becoming community leaders, instruments for the world to peace and justice and respect and dignity to every person," she said. "I hope that you remember from your years at St. Joseph Catholic High School that what you do is not so important as who you are. We celebrate who you are this day and who you will become tomorrow."

The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, said communication and technology have played a major role in our lives and many communication devices and tools have changed the face of the nation. "But at the end of the day, that is really all they are – tools," he said. "Communication takes place between people."

The Class of 2011 has learned how to communicate and learned that God always has the first word and the last word, the bishop said. "You’ve learned to listen with your hearts and you’ve learned to make sure your actions are words of love."