Page 6 - Priorities 7

1998
Brother Edward, Director of Academic Services, led the procession of bagpipers, faculty and graduates past the rose garden and up to Church Square.
CLASS OF
Nathalie Alsop, University of Puget Sound Paul Appelblom, University of Arizona Bernadette Austin, U.C. San Diego
Olivia Basegio, St. Mary’s College
Kate Berry, Foothill College
Michael Bower, St. Mary’s College
Min Francis Byun, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Frank Chen, U. C. Irvine
Samuel “Bo” Felix, California Polytechnic Institute,
San Luis Obispo
Emily Haine, Wheaton College
Melanie Hancock, UCLA
Laura Handy, Wellesley College
Douglas Kirkland, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Alexander Kogan, George Mason University
Suzanne Kovacs, University of San Francisco
Gloria Lando, College of Notre Dame
Lizza Li, Santa Clara University
Luz Lopez, Canada College
Anne Mecham, United World College of the Atlantic
(International High School Baccalaureate) Christian Miller, undecided
Annamarie Pacheco, College of Notre Dame
Rutt Pongsurapipat, Mahid International University Christopher Romero, Loyola University, Chicago Mark Ruiz, Santa Clara University
Audreyanna Seki, University of Redlands Derek Thomas University of Southern California Laura Timpe, Foothill College
Terrell Virgil, University of the Pacific
H. Tait Waterman, Foothill College
Valedictorian
Michael Bower
The Valedictorian is the senior who attains the highest academic standing in the class.
Academic Dean Deborah Whalen said in introducing Mike that in his application to attend Woodside Priory in ninth grade, Michael wrote that his three wishes were to be of service to others, to lead a good life filled with love and to be concerned for others. The qualities he hoped to attain were “positive attitude, energetic, honest about everything, and to become as good a person as possible.”
Four years later, he is well on his way to being that person, she said. Following are excerpts from his speech.
More than anything, I am thankful for the friends that have come into my life here and at home, for they have helped change me in momentous ways...I have never had so much fun in my life. One cannot create enough wild, youthful memories, for they are part of what fosters character development; therefore, the wider and broader the experience, the more it will add to our depth as people.
I would like to leave the Priory students who have not yet finished high school with a little bit of advice. Over the last four years I have learned the value of life and that it should never be wasted. Although a wasted life may seem subjective, there is one quality that, no matter what lifestyle one chooses to live, defines a wasted life and that quality is not taking advantage of the opportunities presented to you.
At the Priory there are hundreds of opportunities. Go all out. Challenge yourself. Take risks. Watch your own personal growth and thrive in life.
Salutatorian
“The formation
of the future is very much your own
responsibility. Don’t be afraid to make choices for what is
right...”
Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, President,
St. Anselm College Commencement Speaker