SMR Celebrates the 37th Commencement

During a ceremony on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, 165 St. Mary's Ryken seniors were conferred their diplomas. The ceremony was held at the St. Mary's College of Maryland. 

During introductory remarks, school president, Mrs. Mary Joy Hurlburt praised the students' successes and accomplishments including:

• Completing over 18,000 services hours
• Earning over $20 million in scholarship offers
• Receiving acceptances from 210 colleges and universities in 20 different states and Scotland
• Being accepted into 26 university honors programs
• 31 graduates signing to play NCAA sports in college
• 64% of the graduates receiving scholarship offers
• 61 students received scholarships totally over $100,000
• 3 graduates were accepted into military academies

President Hurlburt expressed her pride with how much the graduates have given of themselves in the local community over their four years. She urged them to continue this Xaverian tradition of service to others, and to rely on their faith and strength from God as they move on to college and into their adult lives. 

SMR graduates from the Class of 2018 have been accepted to these colleges and universities.

Class Speaker, Jonathan Pappas spoke to the crowd about their experiences and bonds over the past four years. He encouraged his fellow graduates to "start where you stand" by reciting the poem by Berton Braley. 

..."Old failures will not halt, old triumphs aid,
To-day's the thing, to-morrow soon will be;
Get in the fight and face it unafraid,
And leave the past to ancient history;
What has been, has been; yesterday is dead
And by it you are neither blessed nor banned,
Take courage, man, be brave and drive ahead,
Start where you stand..."

Jonathan will attend the University of Maryland, College Park, as a member of the College Park Scholars and will pursue an engineering degree.

The following awards were presented during the commencement:

Sr. Sara Ann Abell, SCN, Service Award to Meaghan Travis and Sophia Trentacosta. Meghan will attend James Madison University and Sophia will attend University of Georgia. 

Brother Edward Driscoll, CFX, Service Award to Jessica Hillian and Gregory Lawrence. Jessica will attend Hampton University and Greg will attend Ave Maria University.

St. Mary's Ryken Knight Awards to Ashley Collins, who will be attending Quinnipiac University, and to Kristian Marks, who will be attending Ave Maria University. 

Brother Lambert Academic Achievement Award to Faith Davis, who will be attending the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in the Meyerhoff Scholars Program. This program builds leaders in the areas of science, technology, engineering and related fields. 

Cardinal's Citizenship Award to Samantha Kestler who will be attending the College of Southern Maryland. 

Xaverian Award to Frank Furtado who will be University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Jonathan Pappas.

The Brother Clyde Student-Athlete awards were presented to JaKayla Brown who will attend Hofstra University and to King Sandoval who will attend the University of Maryland College Park. 

The recorded ceremony may be viewed here. 

Congratulations to all of the SMR graduates. May you go forth to live the Xaverian values of Compassion, Humility, Simplicity, Zeal and Trust.