St. Joseph graduates: 'incredibly motivated overachievers'

Intermountain Catholic

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Claire Bruce, Michael Wardrop and Donna Warfield hug at the end their vocal performance during the Saint Joseph Catholic High School commencement exercises May 24. SEE MORE PHOTOS ON THE INTERMOUNTAIN CATHOLIC FACEBOOK PAGE.IC photo/Marie Mischel

OGDEN — The 44 members of Saint Joseph Catholic High School Class of 2013 are scholars, athletes, actors and, above all, "a class of people who really love each other," said Salutatorian Donna Warfield in her commencement address May 24 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Ogden. "As a whole we are incredibly motivated overachievers. To my knowledge we have left our mark on every AP class that has been offered to us and even some that have not been offered to us but students have taken on as independent study. That’s pretty great."

As has been the case for the past several years, the school had a 100 percent graduation rate, and students showed their academic achievements in many ways. Collectively they earned more than $3.9 million in scholarship awards. Graduates have been accepted to top-ranked academic institutions such as the University of Notre Dame, Georgetown University and Gonzaga University.

Two students qualified as National Merit Finalists: Connor Letendre and Donna Warfield. The Advanced Placement pass rate was almost 75 percent, compared to the national average of less than 20 percent. On the ACT test of students meeting college readiness benchmarks, St. Joseph students scored more than 30 percent above the state average in English and math.

In sports, the Jayhawks captured four individual or team state championships, with 22 players earning All-State Awards and six Academic All-State Awards. Five graduating student-athletes signed to play inter-collegiate sports at the university level.

St. Joseph students shone in other extra-curricular activities as well. At the Utah State High School Shakespearean Competition, they took third for Ensemble Scene and first for Dance; the Utah High School Activities Association Regionals showing was straight "Superior" rankings for 21 participants and seven top three finishes in acting categories. At the Utah High School Activities Association State Championships, students placed third.

"I’ve discovered that St. Joseph Catholic High School has a lot to offer, including rigorous academic courses that require hours of study, usually past midnight; and excellent athletic programs," said valedictorian Alex Henabray in his commencement address.

He recalled significant events throughout their senior year, such as the student production of "The Drowsy Chaperone," surviving the "Mayan apocalypse" and watching the election of Pope Francis.

"Memories like these are the ones that will endure for the rest of our lives, but we should also appreciate the people we shared them with," Henabray said. "I wish I could recognize every graduate for his or her talent and the contributions they have made to the school, but that would take hours. But I will say that all the accomplishments made in high school by all these students in front of me will never be forgotten.... From what I have seen at St. Joe’s, I am confident that all the graduates sitting before me will accomplish many great things and will one day set the world on fire. This is why it is an honor to be a member of the graduating class of 2013."

The commencement exercises’ keynote address was given by teacher Elizabeth Masison.

"This was my first year teaching, and I would not have learned half as much about teaching or about myself if it weren’t for your class," said Masison.

"We ask that you leave tonight with all that we have tried to teach you – not just math and language and science and writing, but compassion, confidence, empowerment, a sense of justice and work ethic.... We need you to be successful. We need you to help create a better world than the one you are headed off to," she said, adding that graduates should be true to themselves.

"Humility and gratitude will be as valuable to you as ambition and passion as your life progresses," she said. "Being genuine and authentic to yourself and your beliefs will serve to carry you and strengthen you so that you will not be shaken by the inevitable challenges that will pass your way."

In the closing remarks, Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, echoed a quote from Saint Catherine of Siena that Henabray used in his valedictorian address: "Be what God is calling you to do."

"It’s not just about now, it’s about eternity," Msgr. Bircumshaw said. "It’s not just about a diploma, but discipleship. It’s not just about what you’ve accomplished but what you have given and will give. We’re not just minds and bodies and hearts, but immortal souls called out to an adventure called life. An adventure in fidelity."