GILROY
– Family and Friends packed in to St. Mary Catholic Church
Friday evening to watch the eighth-graders receive their diplomas
as the students prepare to embark on their next journey.
GILROY – Family and Friends packed in to St. Mary Catholic Church Friday evening to watch the eighth-graders receive their diplomas as the students prepare to embark on their next journey.
“Do you believe in magic?,” asked St. Mary’s Principal Christa Hanson of her 35 students. “I do. I believe in all of you. I am so proud of each of your efforts, and I want you to always let the magic continue.”
Most of the students have attended St. Mary’s School since kindergarten and have many fond memories of their years. As the graduates prepared to enter the church at the beginning of the ceremony, a slide show of pictures played to songs like “Forever Young” and “Hero” by Mariah Carey.
“St. Mary’s has been my home for nine years, and I want to thank everyone for making it a great experience,” said Amanda Chargin, salutatorian of the graduating class.
Father Dan Derry began the ceremony with his own reflection and thoughts about the students that he has taught for the past nine years.
“I hope that the students here today will recognize that they have received a lot from this school,” Derry said. “As they leave us today it is my hope that they will continue to give back to others in their future.”
Along with receiving their diplomas the students were awarded scholarships and academic achievement awards. More than 20 scholarships from organizations like the American Legion Post 217 and the Italian Catholic Federation awarded students money, while the faculty at St. Mary’s awarded students academic-achievement awards in specific areas of study.
One student, Brittany Long, received the speech and drama award and opened the ceremony by singing “I Will Lift Up Your Name” with her fellow student Alysha Molina.
“We’re very proud of our daughter, Brittany,” Robert Long said. “St. Mary’s has given her the whole package by allowing her to study religion, the arts and academics.”
The awards touched on each one of these subjects by awarding certificates in every subject from math and science to computer literacy, Spanish and religion.
“This graduating class has so many talented kids within it, and they will definitely go far,” Hanson said. “We have set the foundation, and I know they have the potential to do the rest themselves.”
Many of the eighth-graders will be continuing on to Gilroy High School while others will attend private Catholic schools in the area.
“Going to St. Mary’s has helped enlighten me through my education, and I am ready to go on,” 14-year-old Al Eaton said.
After the students received their diplomas an I-Movie created by Kim Shields, a mother of one of the graduates was played. It showcased the eighth-graders’ entire year from their community service to their extracurricular field trips. Their closeness is evident by their experiences together over the last nine years said Hanson.
Two of these students, Angela Estrella-Lemus and Chelsea Grogin, shared the honor of being valedictorian this year. Estrella-Lemus gave her valedictorian speech comparing her fellow graduates to cars on the road of life.
“Let’s pretend we are all cars,” Estrella-Lemus said. “We’ve learned what roads to take and which ones will lead us to our dreams. Now, let’s step out of the driver’s seat and into real life.”
The students walked out the doors of the church leaving their young childhood memories behind them while their graduation song, “I Just Can’t Wait to be King” from “The Lion King,” echoed in the background.
