tvc.dsj.org | June 19, 2018
CATHOLIC
SCHOOLS
25
Cristo Rey San José Jesuit High School Celebrates Inaugural Graduation
By Liz Sullivan
¡Viva Cristo Rey!
On June 9, against the backdrop of
the Leavey Center on the campus of
Santa Clara University, Cristo Rey San
José Jesuit High School celebrated its
inaugural graduation.
The high school, which opened its
doors to a freshman class in August
of 2014, conferred diplomas on 109
graduates. In addition, four students
(Mayra Luna Munoz, Minh Nguyen,
Alexa Monserrat Orozco Palomino
and Daisy P. Rodriguez) were class
valedictorians as each finished with a
perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).
Overall, 23 students compiled GPA’s of
3.5 or better.
“What a day,” said Principal Joe
Albers, who delivered his remarks in
English and Spanish. “This is the most
exciting day of my career. Today is a
celebration of trust, hope and love. I
cannot tell you how proud I am of all of
you. You challenged me over these last
four years and you inspired me. Now
I ask for you to continue to finish what
you start, be grateful for everything
you have and pay it forward.”
Every member of the Class of 2018
will attend college, with 98 percent of
the class being the first members of
their families to advance to a second-
ary education.
“Cristo Rey was once just a name
that held little significance to us,” said
student commencement speaker Kaela
Quinto-Reloba, who will attend Santa
Clara. “Our time here has blossomed
and meant so much more than we ever
thought it could. We have seen Cristo
Rey grow. It has been a beautiful oppor-
tunity to see how much it has changed.
Now as Saint Ignatius said: ‘Go forth
and set the world on fire.”
A common theme from the numer-
ous speakers during the ceremony was
how this class, and their peers, have
the opportunity to go out and change
the world.
“I would like to see you go out and
fix this broken world,” said school
president Margaret Higgins, PhD.
Said Father John P. Foley, S.J., Chair-
man Emeritus and Chief Mission
Officer for the Cristo Rey Network, a
network of 32, and growing schools,
across the United States: “We can’t wait
for anyone else to fix this world. Your
dreams have made this possible. Now
set your sails for the future and prepare
yourself for a riveting ride.”
The graduates selected one of th e
more popular faculty members, As-
sistant Principal Billy Bludgus, to give
the Faculty Commencement Address.
“You are the reasons for hope that
our future will be better than it is to-
day,” said Bludgus, his voice cracking
with emotion. “The footsteps you take
across the stage today (to receive their
diplomas) represent the thousands of
footprints you have left on my heart.”
Cristo Rey also bestowed honorary
degrees on benefactors John A and Sue
Sobrato and B.J. and Bebe Cassin.
Diocese of San Jose Bishop Patrick J.
McGrath offered the Benediction at the
conclusion of the ceremony.
“Our world needs you,” said the
Bishop before the prayer. “Our world
needs each and every one of you. Our
world is waiting for you. This is the
day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice
and be glad.”
¡Viva Cristo Rey!
Archbishop Mitty High School Celebrates Class of 2018
Archbishop Mitty High School’s 51 st
commencement exercises were held on
May 26. The school celebrated the many
achievements of the Class of 2018 in a
special ceremony that welcomed about
3,500 family members and friends to
Father Jack Russi Field. During the
event, Mitty recognized more than
400 graduates including five who were
recipients of special awards.
Senior Danning Yu was named
valedictorian, an honor that recognizes
a single graduate as the top academic
student in the class. Danning has
achieved an outstanding 4.75 GPA
and has been recognized with general
excellence awards for being one of the
top three students in the following
areas: mathematics, robotics, science,
social studies, English, newspaper,
and world languages. In addition to
this, he has been a stalwart member of
the school’s popular robotics team. But
equally striking is the way Danning
uses his talents to serve others. While
participating in the Ethics, Culture, and
Justice: South Africa immersion trip
last summer, Danning set up a com-
puter and printer at an orphanage for
children with AIDS. And for his recent
Eagle Scout project, he built a three-tier
compost bin for Archbishop Mitty’s
newly established garden. In his spare
time, he has also become a virtuoso
piano player. Danning will be headed
to University of California, Los Angeles
to study engineering in the fall.
Senior Nichole Lim was named
salutatorian and was selected to give
the welcome address at graduation.
Nichole has maintained an impressive
4.67 GPA while taking honors and AP
classes in every discipline and earn-
ing a perfect “A” grade in each course.
This year, she was recognized with
the AMHS General Excellence Award
for being one of the top three students
in seven different areas: mathematics,
performing arts, science, religious
studies, English, newspaper, and social
studies. She participated in the Eth-
ics, Culture, and Justice: South Africa
immersion trip last summer, and has
served as editor of the school’s news-
paper and literary magazine. Nichole is
also the principal cellist in the AMHS
Orchestra. Next year, she will be at-
tending Sussex University in London.
Senior Lizzy Mau was named the
female recipient of the Regents Award.
Lizzy maintained a 4.57 GPA while
taking a rigorous academic schedule
with a total of nine A.P. courses in six
different disciplines. She has also been
a significant contributor to the speech
and debate team, participated in the
LIFE Corps, and traveled across Cali-
fornia and Arizona as part of several
school-sponsored immersion trips. In
addition to this, Lizzy has given hun-
dreds of hours to behind-the-scenes
work in the Performing Arts Depart-
ment as a stage manager, set builder,
and lights/sound coordinator. Next
year, Lizzy will be attending Univer-
sity of California, Santa Barbara.
Senior Blair Evans was named the
male recipient of the Regents Award.
Blair has demonstrated excellence in
a variety of areas including math-
ematics, Performing Arts, Campus
Ministry, and Student Government,
but what really sets him apart is his
leadership style. Blair’s genuine love
for this community manifests itself in
a ministry of presence rarely seen in a
young person. Football game tonight?
He’s there. Concert? He’s there too. As
a class representative for two years
and an ASB spirit commissioner this
year, he made leading by presence an
art form. Blair also took an active role
in the Performing Arts Department,
taking the stage in a variety of roles
that were memorable, supportive, and
sometimes outrageous. He will be
attending the University of Southern
California in the fall.
Senior Katie Petersen was named
the recipient of the Romero Award,
which recognizes a graduating senior
who shows a deep commitment to
social justice and the school’s Cam-
pus Ministry program. The award is
named after Archbishop Oscar Rome-
ro, who fought and died for the cause
of social justice. Katie has been a char-
ismatic leader for the Mitty Advocacy
Project, a student-run legislative team
working to spread awareness about so-
cial justice issues. This year, she served
as the president of the group. She was
also the keynote speaker for Catholic
Youth Advocacy Day in Sacramento.
Katie will be attending Barnard Col-
lege next fall.