The OLSH Class of 2019 participated in the 85th annual Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremony this spring, celebrating their achievements during their time in high school. The Baccalaureate Mass was held on Thursday, May 30 in the OLSH Chapel. Mass was celebrated by OLSH chaplain, Rev. Bill Dorner, and guest priests Rev. Sam Esposito, Rev. James Farnan, Rev. Joachim Morgan, Rev. Alan Morris, and Rev. David Poecking. Maria Yarsky proclaimed the first reading and served as cantor. Paul Belak and Sophia Blake also served as readers and class officers Maria Yarsky, Alexandra Rudock, Maggie Dulac, and Michael Rykaceski brought up the gifts. In his homily, Fr. Bill encouraged the members of the senior class to always remember the ultimate goal of getting to heaven, and to remember that God is always with you and will always be with you, through each stage of life. He urged the graduates to stay close to God.
On Sunday, June 2, the Class of 2019 came together for their Commencement Exercises. The Class entered the Angela Activities Center, followed by the OLSH faculty and staff. Fr. Bill Dorner led an opening prayer and class president Maria Yarsky led the Pledge of Allegiance. Then Maria shared her farewell address with the audience. Maria will attend the University of Mary where she plans to study Pre Law.
Next, Salutatorian Julia Sarnowski addressed the audience, asking them to consider the words gratitude and change, focusing on encouraging her classmates to change the world (even if just in very small ways). Julia will attend St. Vincent College on the Presidential Scholarship, the Catholic High School Scholarship, the Benedictine Leadership Scholarship, the Navy Supply Corps Foundation Scholarship, and the Fred Rogers Scholars Program Scholarship. Julia plans to major in business and will play soccer.
Valedictorian Alexandra Rudock shared her thoughts on the word gratitude. She acknowledged the range of emotions likely felt by the students and parents alike, but assured her classmates, “We are ready. We are ready to go out and do amazing things.” Alexandra was awarded the Presidential Scholarship to attend Loyola University Chicago in the fall, where she will study sociology.
The Class of 2019 was offered $6,317,623.72 in documented scholarships and grants and will attend 44 colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions in 13 states and Canada. Three students plan to enlist in the US military and five students will pursue a trade. 28% of the class will go on to study a STEM or medical-related field and 24% will study business.