June 2009

June 2009

If graduations, like proms, had themes, then this year's graduation would surely have been entitled, "The Struggle."

Many of the 87 members of the Class of 2009 have had enormous struggles in their young lives and the class as a whole has not had an easy path to the 135th Commencement, which was held Sunday, June 7, in Colin Auditorium.

One of those students who spoke so eloquently about his personal struggles was Valedictorian Santiago Naranjo. He spoke about his battle to abandon the arrogance and isolation that he has believed were the only ways to deal with the loneliness he felt in school and at home when he arrived at St. Benedict's.

Naranjo also talk about his struggle to get to this country and stay here with his reunited family before finally being rewarded with a Green Card in September of '08. That elusive card, one that made Naranjo question his dedication to school work before he received permanent residency in the U.S., allowed him to realize his ultimate dream - getting accepted into Stanford University.

"I felt like I had been born again - anything is possible, even a change of personality," said Naranjo of getting his Green Card and acceptance letter three months later. "This letter was physical proof that excelling in school was not in vain."

Naranjo also acknowledged that he struggled to realize that he could not do alone what he had to do to realize his dream - that his parents, his teachers, and his new friends at St. Benedict's - all were instrumental to his success.

"I overcame obstacles with my friends help, as I am sure everyone else here has done the same," said Naranjo in closing. "It's never easy, and with our experiences in St. Benedict's, I am sure we will all succeed. The Class of 09', even though branded with all sorts of negative expectations, has sufficiently strived and completed our high school career. Let's keep our hopes high and realize that it all works out at the end, if you work with diligence and with our Benedict's spirit!"

Naji Curry, the Senior Group Leader responsible for the day-to-day running of the school also acknowledged that the Class of 2009 has struggled almost daily to make it graduation day. The son of a mother with serious diabetes, Curry has spent many days, even weeks of his adolescence alone. But, as he said, he has always been on the Honor Roll and rose to the highest position of leadership in school.

"One thing that we all can say is that struggles offer some of the best learning experiences," said Curry, headed to St. John's University in Minnesota. "Through each experience, we were taught values that we will find helpful in the future."

Curry then went on and joked about his classmate's most recent struggle - trying to get him to dance at the prom. By the end of the night, he "had danced twice!"

Michelle Tuorto, the science department chairperson, gave the commencement address. She told the students in no uncertain terms that they were in charge of their fate and how they managed three things - mistakes, change and passion - would determine whether or not they achieved the kind of life they wanted. She quoted Fr. Edwin Leahy's constant admonition to students - they must have choices when they graduate. And she noted that if these students arrived at some point in their lives when they had no choices, they must be very, very critical of themselves and ask, "why." Learning from mistakes, adapting to change and pursuing a passion with discipline and hard work are the struggles that will define their futures.

In addition to the 87 graduates, 20 members of the Class of 1959 received certificates of honor from Fr. Edwin and Abbot Melvin. Fr. Edwin noted that this year has been a financial struggle for the school - as it has been for almost all other institutions and families. But the Class of 1959 stepped up its generosity and raised $237,000 for the school. And Fr. Albert, who reminisced about what was going on in the world in 1959, said that the class of '50 and '09 shared the distinction of being famous, or infamous, for their shenanigans.

There was also a special rendition of "The Impossible Dream" by Roger Rose and Aaron Walker before an crowd-pleasing production by the St. Benedict's Drum Line - Jeff Williams, Chris Lowe, Onaje Smartt and Phillmon McFadden - brought down the house.

As always, Rev. Peter Winstead, the "Rev." who leads the prayer and song in convocation three days a week, led the graduates in exuberantly singing the "convo" songs one last time. He opened with a very familiar tune that the kids sang with gusto, perhaps realizing at this juncture that life will no doubt bring more struggles, but that they can always be assured of the loving embrace of God as they go forward.