Dream On Class of 2022

When I started my tenure as administrator at St. Patrick School, this class started as my first DK or four-year-old preschool class. It has been an honor to watch them go through preschool or developmental kindergarten all the way to graduation as their principal. Now, it is time to say goodbye and trust they will continue to build on the rock-solid foundation created during their school years as they move on to the next phase of their lives.

On the first day of this school year, I challenged them with the goal of helping me lead our school back into normalcy. Our goal was to take the good that had come from the challenge of the pandemic, along with the great things we were doing pre-Covid and create a new normal. They were strong leaders throughout the school year beginning with our annual spirit week celebration and continuing with the planning of their senior trip to Boyne Mountain Resort, senior banquet, the last week of school activities including our annual softball tournament, and finally, commencement.

Graduation day began with Mass celebrated by Most Reverend Bishop David Walkowiak. After Mass, the graduates and their families moved to the school gymnasium for commencement. Mr. Hodge opened the ceremony with prayer and shared the major achievements of the Class of 2022 which include:

• 12 of the 25 students in the Class of 2022 are members of the National Honor Society.

• 14 out of 25 were recognized as CMAC Scholar Athletes meaning they had at least a 3.4 GPA and lettered in at least two sports, one of which was in their senior year.

• 21 out of the 25 plan to go on to some form of higher education, with four entering the workforce or taking up a skilled trade.

• Three have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their sports careers in college.

• 14 of the 25 are graduating with honors (3.79 GPA or higher) with nine having a GPA of 4.0 or higher and 18 having a grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

• They were offered $556,375 in scholarships and accepted $454,750 or an average of $22,737.50 per graduate.

Valedictorian Carly Scheurer and Salutatorian Sarah Davlin addressed their classmates, thanking them for making their class feel like a family. They also thanked those who helped them along the way, sharing accomplishments, memories, good times together, and all the possibilities for a great future. Following the speeches, the graduates were called forward to receive their diploma from Bishop Walkowiak. One by one they turned their tassel, and the Class of 2022 joined a group of approximately 2,000 Shamrock alumni around the world.

Following their class slideshow, our pastor, the Reverend Michael Alber, closed the ceremony by playing the Class of 2022 class song Dream On by Aerosmith on his guitar. The Class of 2022 joined him for one final rendition of their class song. After Fr. Mike officially closed the ceremony with prayer, the graduates processed out of the gym and into the future. Following their final class picture together and the traditional tossing of caps, there were hugs, handshakes, and family pictures.

As seniors, the Class of 2022 succeeded in ensuring all our students had a great year despite the challenges we faced. They served as role models for our younger students, especially their Little Rocks, and provided many outstanding suggestions for ways to improve our school. We are all extremely proud of all that they accomplished during their time at St. Patrick School. We thank them for their leadership, work ethic, and how they have represented Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Roman Catholic Church, the Diocese of Grand Rapids, St. Patrick School, their families, and themselves. We are proud to say that they leave St. Patrick School with a firm foundation to continue living our mission statement. We Pray! We Learn! We Achieve! We look forward to seeing what the future holds for the Class of 2022. May God bless each and every one of them. May they always continue to dream on!

Courtesy Photo.

Randy Hodge is the High School Principal at St. Patrick School.