THOUGHTS FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL, JOSEPH VORBACH:
In the moments before the beginning of graduation, while the faculty and the graduates are assembled in the crypt level of the Shrine, the faculty and staff notice that the students have grown quiet. They join together in prayer just before processing up to the Shrine. After the silence of prayer, there is a collective surge in energy that is as noticeable as the onset of the earlier silence.
Each year at graduation, the moment you enter the Shrine is as awe inspiring as the year before. The beauty of the building and the anticipation of so many loved ones combine to make an unforgettable impression.
The Class of 2019's graduation was a beautiful event, marking the completion of the high school years of 306 classmates who accomplished so much individually and collectively during their four years with us. Celebrating their achievements was a great joy.
I mentioned two weeks ago that Grace Abi-Najm Shea would speak to the graduates and their parents at the Baccalaureate Breakfast. She delivered a beautiful address that day that focused on the importance of family, community and service. Since then, we have enjoyed concerts and award ceremonies, the tradition of senior prom on the Potomac, and student government leadership elections. The month of May is always a blur, and the increased volume and pace of earth moving around the school makes it feel even busier.
In the coming two weeks, our focus is on helping our underclass students finish the year as strongly as possible and on preparing for a successful start to the 2019-2020 school year.