Members of Holy Name Catholic School’s Class of 2018, who will be graduating from high school this spring, visited Holy Name on Thursday, May 5 and attended a special Mass celebrated by Father Francis DeGroot, pastor of St. Anne Parish in Escanaba.
In his sermon, Father DeGroot encouraged the students to stay strong in their Catholic faith, specifically by continuing to attend Mass on Sundays and partaking in the Holy Eucharist, as they move on in their lives.
Doing this, he said, will keep them connected to Jesus Christ and help them as they face decisions in their lives. Holy Name Principal Joseph Carlson then spoke to the graduates after Mass, describing them as a very kind, close-knit group. Carlson shared memories with the students and reminded them of their votes for Class Favorites.
He thanked the students’ parents and other family members who were present for the Mass.
“You’re a great group, and I know you will go on to do great things,” Carlson said, assuring them that he is proud of their achievements.
He summed up by encouraging the graduates to always remember Holy Name as they go on in their lives. Holy Name’s alumni/development director Michelle Bink also spoke to the students and gifted them—on behalf of HNCS—with San Damiano crosses (with “J.M.J. Holy Name Catholic School Class of 2018” printed on the back) and personalized gourmet cookies made just for them.
Students and their families then watched a slideshow video showing photos from their time at Holy Name. The graduates then took a survey, played volleyball, dodgeball and basketball with the eighth grade students, and enjoyed lunch together.
Students were invited to walk through the school to see their former teachers and the improvements that have been made to the building since they graduated.
Pictured in the photo are the following students from the HNCS Class of 2018: In the back row (from left to right) are: Adam Willette, Matthew Zimmerman, Jordan Dagenais, Allison Korpi, Morgan Gartland, Bailey Barron, Joey Kositzky, Braden Beauchamp, and Stephen Weinert. Pictured in the front row (from left to right) are: Abigail Rexford, Savannah Kobasic, and Breeanna Gestwicki.
Five of the graduates, Eila Couchene, Nicholas Derkos, Vanessa LaPalm, Tony Liss, and Rory Schroeder, were not in attendance.
Five of the graduates: Morgan Gartland, Savannah Kobasic, Allison Korpi, Joey Kositzky (all Escanaba High School students), and Stephen Weinert (Ludington High School student) are in the Top 10 academically of their graduating classes.
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