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Page 22 July 2017 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com

s C h o o l news

Mother Seton School Continues 217-Year Legacy with Class of 2017
Graduation

On June 4, 2017, twenty-six students, Courtesy Photo expectations (about receiving the
along with their families and the faculty award). But I am grateful to have been
and administration of Mother Seton recognized,” she said. “I’ve worked
School (MSS), gathered together at the hard at my academics and in deepening
Basilica of the National Shrine of St. my faith.” Grace will be attending
Elizabeth Ann Seton for one last time Catoctin High School in the fall, while
to celebrate their graduation from MSS. Gavin will be moving on to Francis
After a Catholic Mass, presided over by Scott Key High School.
Reverend John Holliday, the graduates Other awards included the President’s
received a special blessing and were Award for Academic Excellence, which
awarded their diplomas. is given to those students who maintain
Amy Myles was at the Basilica to an A-average throughout Middle School
celebrate with her daughter, Aedan, and test in the top 10 percent of the
who will be attending Catoctin High nation’s students. Jack Guinan, Averey
School in the fall. Myles is the parent Johnson, and Larisa Tayler were this
of two MSS alumni and has two more year’s recipients. The President’s Award
children still attending MSS. For her, for Academic Achievement was given
graduation was every bit as emotional to Hannah Beckett, Natalie Bosche,
as it was when her last child graduated Matthias Buchheister, Bridget Collins,
in 2009. “It was surreal to watch this Hunter Collins, Grace Kovalcik, Luke
group of sweet, goofy, smart, and Manning, and Sydney McCarron.
caring children graduate and head off Pictured from left are: (front row) Averey Johnson, Aedan Myles, Nolan Burns, Gavin Marshall, Sean Some of the graduates received
Mazaleski, Carson Sickeri, Olivia Sica; (second row) Emily Dewees, Grace Kovalcik, Luke Manning,
in separate directions to their next Craigliam Marr, Liv Cliber, Sydney McCarron, Natalie Bosche; (third row) Larisa Tayler, Gavin merit scholarships for high school. Jack
adventures. I wish them all happiness!” Marshall, Emmanuel Luzuriaga, Matthias Buchheister, Hannah Beckett; (back row) Kailee Crouch, Guinan was awarded the Sister Marie
The graduates will be moving on to Jack Guinan, Hunter Collins, Bridget Collins, Chase Stull, Marshall Mott, and Gavin Sanders. Carmel Merit Scholarship and the
nine different high schools in Maryland President’s Merit Scholarship to attend
and Pennsylvania, including Catoctin High School in Thurmont; Delone Catholic St. John’s Catholic Prep, while Matthias Buchheister and Bridget Collins received
in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania; St. Maria Goretti in Hagerstown; Francis the Principal’s Scholarship to St. Maria Goretti.
Scott Key High School in Uniontown; Governor Thomas Johnson High School The graduates were excited at the new adventures awaiting them in high
in Frederick; St. John’s Catholic Prep in Buckeystown; Mount St. Joseph High school, but most felt bittersweet about leaving behind the friends they made at
School in Baltimore; Gettysburg High School in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; and MSS. Nine of the students have been at MSS together since Pre-K, including
Fairfield High School in Fairfield, Pennsylvania. Larisa Tayler. “(This class) will always hold a special place in my heart,” she
In an awards ceremony held on June 1, students were honored for their said. “We’ve had tough times and great times, but we’ve stuck together, and
academic and personal achievements. Grace Kovalcik and Gavin Marshall I’ll miss everyone.” Larisa will be joining fellow graduates Averey Johnson and
were each bestowed the school’s highest honor: the Mother Seton Spirit Sydney McCarron at Governor Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick.
Award for Outstanding Christian Witness. This award is given to a young “The Class of 2017 is a special group of students,” said Sister Brenda
man and a young woman who exemplify the spirit of Mother Seton, through Monahan, D.C., principal at Mother Seton School. “We are blessed to welcome
prayerfulness and living of their faith, a generous sharing of their God-given them to our alumni family. We know they will go on to do great things, like
gifts and talents, and a respect and kindness in their relationships with others. many of our graduates. We send them off with our prayers and pride in the
Grace was surprised when her name was called. “In all honesty, I had no young women and men they have become.”