Sixth annual graduation ceremony honors 182

Colosimo said this was the first commencement ceremony to be broadcast and carried live on the website.

"The Class of 2007 has four National Merit Scholars, nine Advanced Placement scholars, more than 96 percent of the seniors have received letters of admission to colleges and universities, and the class received $6.7 million worth of scholarships for four-year programs," said Colosimo.

Gregory Peterson, the Valedictorian of the Class of 2007, addressed his class saying, "We did it. Over the four years our class has had a lot of success and Juan Diego has given us a lot of great experiences."

Peterson assured the class of 2007, persistence is the key to success, and reminded them of the words of St. Paul who said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

"We just have to remember we have God who is here for us even when we think we cannot go on," said Peterson.

Salutatorian Morgan Ashley Clark said, "One thing about the class of 2007 is we are always willing to take on a challenge, and there is a friendliness that extends to the teachers. I know my fellow students applaud the teachers who have helped us succeed.

"Shoot for the moon and if you land on the roof, at least you are off the ground," said Clark.

In his remarks, Bishop Wester said, "Having been newly installed, I am looking at the diocese with fresh eyes, and I just cannot begin to tell you how honored and privileged I am to be here with you today."

He said there are many ways of looking at a graduation including the way the speakers have captured achievements and the spirit of the graduation, and there is the chronological view of capturing the experience.

"Winston Churchill years ago said, ‘This is not the end, it is only the beginning of the end,’" said Bishop Wester. "One way of looking at today is to capture all these dreams and see it as a gift of God’s love."

Bishop Wester said God has given these young men and women so much potential, and their parents and the faculty have given them the possibility of a wonderful education and a gift of opportunity. They taught as Jesus taught.