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SOMERS, N.Y. One hundred and forty Kennedy Catholic High School seniors brought pride to their teachers, families and friends as the 2012 commencement exercises got underway Sunday.
Graduate Kristen Gold of Somers delivered the invocation. She thanked those who have loved us, nurtured us and formed us into the people we are today.
In his salutatory speech, Kevin Delfino of Carmel described how people enter high school feeling nervous and shy and form new friendships that will last a lifetime. Today is not only the end of our best days so far, but the beginning of all the great things yet to come in our lives, he said.
Valedictorian William Crockatt of Purdys spoke of the spiritual, athletic, academic, cultural and humanitarian experiences the class shared during its four years at Kennedy.
The outstanding faculty has continually challenged us to become students of intellect, integrity and faith, he said. Your passion for teaching has inspired us and prepared us well for our future.
We are exceedingly proud of this years class, which has amassed a record-setting number of scholarships and been accepted into some of the finest institutions in the country, said Father Mark Vaillancourt, the school's principal. Their achievements are a special source of pride for me, as they were my very first Kennedy freshman class.
Director of Alumni Alex Malecki added, Graduation is a really nice culmination of four years of hard work and effort. Its also an opportunity for recognition among seniors when they see their fellow students win awards that perhaps their peers didn't know about. Its also the formal induction into the Alumni Association.
The class of 2012 marks the 83rd graduation at Kennedy Catholic, which was founded as St. Marys in 1924 by the Sisters of the Divine Compassion. It was renamed in honor of the late president, John F. Kennedy.
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