Page 10 - Priorities #34 2006-July

Students received candy necklaces along with other humorous awards chosen to personify something special about each.
The students selected faculty member and Director of Student Activities Rick Riebhoff as their speaker. Eighth grader Sean Zarringhalam commented that “If I could, I would choose Mr. Riebhoff for every class that I ever take. He is the teacher that made me actually understand and like math!”
Mr. Riebhoff told the students that the passion that occasionally gets them in trouble is also a strength. “. . .You live life to its fullest every day and you laugh more than any class I have ever been around.” He described a class that is one of the most academically gifted ever, that plays every game
in sports like it might be the last, whose onstage performances are unforgettable, and who support each other when things get tough.
“Your teachers have described you as bright, opinionated, fully of personality, fun, engaging, energy-filled, challenging, rowdy and curious. And I couldn’t agree more.”
Students receiving special awards were:
• Ellie Oates— Academic Excellence and Drama Awards
• Cassandra (Casey) Montalvo—Leadership
• Marisa Martinson—Dean’s Award for academic excellence, student leadership and service to the school community.
• Elana Wenger—Saint Cecilia’s Performing Arts
• Cole Roberts—Visual Arts
• Marie Trudelle and Joshua Nimer—Most Inspirational Athletes
• Lauren Schilling and Jack Foster—Athletes of the Year
• Alexandria Goodyear and Ben Kovachy—Scholar Athletes
• Lauren Schilling—St. Benedict Award (the highest honor given by the school)
It is traditional for faculty to write personal notes
to their students, which are captured together in
a plaque for each student. The Class of 2011 also received these plaques. Following the ceremonies, students, families and friends enjoyed a reception on
“Your teachers describe you as bright, opinionated, fully of personality, fun, engaging, energy-filled, challenging, rowdy and curious. And I couldn’t agree more.” Rick Riebhoff, Graduation Speaker
Ellie Oates receives her diploma from Head of School Tim Molak.
10
HT
Eighth Grade Class Celebrates Graduation—
hirty-six eighth graders celebrated the
successful completion of their Middle School years at commencement ceremonies on June 8. As is the tradition, faculty helped
igh School Ahead!
the students with ties, flowers and boutonnières, and they all followed in procession behind Brother Edward Englund into the chapel.
In his address to the graduates, Mr. Molak recalled many special qualities of the class (such
as their snack-seeking ability). He wished them a future “nurtured by the fruits of (their) Benedictine education, filled with smiles and laughs, good times and even better ones, and a passion for life and learning that brings a true sense of fulfillment.”
Valedictorian Elana (Lanie) Wenger reminisced with her classmates about books, television programs and activities that had helped them understand the facets of a friendship. In the beginning, she said, her class had some problems with the concept. However, the eighth grade year had been a time for forming closer bonds, beginning with the Outdoor Ed experience and ending with the good times in Washington, D.C, she said.
“We are learning to accept others for who they are, to look for their talents and not their flaws. . . As is described in the Priory literature, ‘Together we find strength and purpose in supporting one another,’” she said.