The annual Baccalaureate Mass was held on June 2, 2016, giving graduating students hope for the future, and pushing them toward new challenges. However, this ceremony is not only to push the graduating class into the future, but to remind them of their past, and all the accomplishments that they have made during their time at St. Rose. The event, combining Mass with an awards celebration, also reminds the students that, no matter how far away they might be from each other, they will always have St. Rose and the Catholic faith to bring them together.
After the procession, the Mass begins. As the homily approaches, the anticipation grows, as the congregation is waiting to hear Monsignor’s wise words. The homily is what sets apart one Mass from another. This Mass was especially unique, from all those in the past, as the priest gave tender advice to his listeners. As adults it is important to “be with the right people,” he said, “and put God, then your neighbors above all else.” This, he said, was the key to success.
After mass the awards ceremony began with an introductory speech from Senior class president Margaret Hull. Next Maddie Reilly, executive board president, led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. The next speech that was given was a speech written by one of 2016’s best students, Deirdre Cahill. As class salutatorian, she addressed her peers and reflected on the four years that had gone by. The instituting of the iPads in classrooms, hurricane Sandy and the restoration, and the state championships that put St. Rose on the map. Deirdre Cahill went above calling her class to “change the world” by changing others, by calling them to first, change themselves and model the behavior they want others to follow. The end of her speech was met with the thunderous applause of approval of her classmates, newly inspired by her words.
Later awards were given out to the well-deserving students for academic, social, and artistic excellence. Awards such as, the top ten, the “800”, President’s Education, Silver, and many others were given for academic achievements. All of the awards given were recognition for a student’s love for something; something that made them go out into the world and share it.
“The whole experience was wonderful,” says Megan Brown, a student in the graduating class of 2016. “They have taught me so much, and we all will really miss them,” Megan Lawson, a Junior attending the mass and awards ceremony, stated. All who were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony, but were a little downhearted at the realization that the seniors are leaving St. Rose. The faculty and fellow students wished them well as they parted, eager to see what they will do as they become a part of the world. And as Deidre Cahill said, “teach by example” to “change the world.”
By Victoria Canrco ’17
