Twenty-nine students were encouraged to pursue excellence and represent Christ’s light as they graduated from eighth grade at Saint Joseph School during a May 21 Mass at St. Joseph Parish in downtown Martinsburg.
In front of pews filled with family, friends, school administrators and staff, the students were celebrated by Principal Maria Byrd and the Rev. Thomas Gallagher, pastor of St. Joseph Parish.
Members of the class are Reston Barrow, Cheyanne Bennett, Charlotte Carter, Chana Dinh, Chase Domenico, Alana Espenlaub, Wyatt Fiorita, Calvin Fogle, Aubrey Lee, Ava Lee, Briahna Martinez Lizama, Liam McGibbon, Richard Monroe, Darren Nguyen, Maya Nguyen, Lorelei Oligmueller, Jimena Olvera, Lola Perkins, Christian O’Meara, Nicolas O’Meara, Reid Pezzanite, Izaak Rodriguez, Georgia Samuelson, Shaan Sood, Maxwell Stephen-Hassard, Camilla Stewart, Evan Thames, Karina Vasyliuk and McCoy Williams.
“On behalf of all of us at Saint Joseph School, I encourage you to reach for excellence, to be the light of Christ wherever you go,” Byrd said. Quoting Deuteronomy 31:6, she said, “Be strong. Be fearless. Don’t be afraid and don’t be scared by your enemies because the Lord your God is the one who marches with you. He won’t let you down, and he won’t abandon you.”
The following subject awards were presented during the graduation ceremony:
- Excellent participation and expressive reading: Domenico
- Advanced skills and writing technique: Barrow
- Math 8: Bennett
- Algebra I: Maya Nguyen
- Science: Fiorita
- History: Vasyliuk
- Religion: Dinh
- Spanish: Barrow
- Art: Fiorita
- STEM: Stephen-Hassard
- Choir: Samuelson
- Band: Christian O’Meara
- Handbells: Pezzanite
- Show choir: Oligmueller
- Physical education: Sood and Espenlaub
Recognition was also given to students winning the following:
President’s Award for Educational Excellence (gold medal), for students who earned an 85% or higher on a standardized test in reading or math, and at least a 3.5 grade-point average for all trimesters in sixth and seventh grades, and the first three quarters of eighth grade: Barrow, McGibbon, Oligmueller, Samuelson, Stephen-Hassard and Thames.
President’s Award for Educational Achievement (silver medal) for students who achieved a 69% or higher on a standardized test in reading or math, and at least a 3.0 GPA for all trimesters in sixth and seventh grades, and the first three quarters of eighth grade: Dinh, Domenico, Espenlaub, Fiorita, Fogle, Maya Nguyen, Olvera, Pezzanite, Vasyliuk and Williams.
Knights of Columbus Patriotic Service Award: Sood
Aquinas Medal: Espenlaub. Named for Saint Thomas Aquinas, the medal is the most prestigious honor a student can receive from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. One student at the highest academic grade level at each Catholic school in the diocese is recognized for embodying excellence in learning, faithful discipleship, leadership, and service to school, parish and community.
“We thank our teachers for their work of love over the years in contributing to these students’ lives in ways that go beyond academics,” Byrd said. “Likewise, I commend you parents and family members, present and absent, who have supported their education in ways that only you know. You are, and will always be, the primary educators of your children.”
She commended the students for their hard work, care for and kindness to each other and for representing the love of Christ to all who had the privilege and joy to teach and know them.
“Outside influences may pressure you to leave your faith,” Byrd said. “Always remember the strong foundation of what we have taught you here at Saint Joseph School, and ask God to bring you back to Him when life gets difficult.
“Be assured that while you were under our care, you were loved and protected,” Byrd said. “To our eyes, you are unique and precious, and you will be remembered and cherished after you are gone or (if you) stay.”
