Mother’s Day was Graduation Day for 10 seniors at Pope John XXIII Central Catholic High School. Like so many other classes before them, they donned cap and gown, they came in as the senior class and walked out as alumni.
They said ‘goodbye’ with tears and hugs, then said ‘hello’ to tomorrow and all the promise that it will bring.
Chosen by her classmates to speak on behalf of the class, Marissa Preister told an audience of family and friends how “Pope John has not only given each student academic strength, but has most importantly challenged us to grow in our Catholic faith.”
She then challenged her classmates to:
• Appreciate every moment in life. Citing the class motto of “carpe diem” Latin for “seize the day,” she said when looking back at their junior year which was defined by the COVID pandemic, “use it as a reminder to ‘seize the day’ and appreciate every moment in life because we never know when it could be our last.”
• Make goals and reach for your dreams. “Whatever you dream is, make it a goal, pursue it and accomplish it … never fear failure.” Turn to this weeks Elgin Review for the full story.
