Holy Cross High School graduates celebrated their faith and the possibilities before them at Friday's graduation ceremony.
Speakers at the ceremony said with their Christian values, their Holy Cross education and the lessons learned in a fun and memorable high school career, there's nothing the new alumni couldn't achieve.
"We must cherish what we've been given and live our lives to our greatest potential," said valedictorian Scott Kearney.
More than 100 seniors walked across the stage at Sette LaVerghetta Center at Marywood University in green robes and caps, supported by a sea of family, friends, faculty, administration and staff. About 97 percent of the class are pursuing a secondary education and received more than $8.5 million in scholarship offers, according to Principal Benjamin Tolerico.
He challenged the group of young people to reach their fullest potential in their faith, studies and relationships and to have no regrets while embracing their God-given gifts.
"Make the best decisions and take advantage of those opportunities when they arise," he said.
Salutatorian Alexandra Antonio thanked the teachers and staff on behalf of her peers for their support and life lessons.
She encouraged her peers to chase their dreams.
"Speak your mind and always be yourself because the important people in your life will always cherish you for it," she said.
Contact the writer: ksullivan@timesshamrock.com, @ksullivanTT on Twitter
2013 graduates include:
Emily Elise Angerson, Alexandra Marie Antonio, Candice Marie Baumher, Andrew Robert Behrens, Nicholas James Bennie, Bryan Marcel Bilbao, Alicia Quinn Bird, Anna Claire Boginski, Daniel Gregory Kelley Bormes, Ryan James Brannon, Catharine Margaret Brennan, Mary Helen Brennan, Guy M. Cali Jr., Alex Capozzi, Angela Maria Quintina Cardona, Angeline Marie Cerra, Selena Rose Cerra, Wei-Ting Chang, Yu-Chien Chen, Maura Ann Chiumento, Grace Frances Clark, Brittany Ann Cole, Liam Michael Comerford, Duncan Coolican, Amber Lynn Craven, Zachary Joseph Cwikla, Kenneth Thomas Czyzyk, John Daryl Paul Derenick, Alicia Lynn Duszak, Christopher James Esposito, Morgan L. Evans, Joseph P. Faltynowicz, John Walter Ferraro, Enrico Christopher Galassi, Kaitlin Rose Gardier, Casey James Gaughan, Brooke Gillette, Sabrina Lynn Graham, Patrick Simon Hagan, Emily Theresa Hanna, Angelo Mario Vincenzo Hastie, Andrew James Hicks, Emma Maria Holmes, Shawn Alexander Iezzi, Dana Elizabeth Jenkins, Connor Jacob Joseph Joyce, Corey Francis Xavier Joyce, Michael T. Kanavy, Shawn Jude Kane, Kerry Vincent Kearney, Scott Andrew Kearney, Madeline Henry Keegan, Anne Mara Bridgett Keib, Ryan Hugh Kelly, Morgan H. Kneier, Stephanie Jean Knorr, Carrie Kathyrn Kobrynich, Joshua Raymond Kosin, Victoria Theresa LaRussa, Elizabeth Melanie Legg, Ian Michael Lewis, India Isabelle Marrazzo, Jordan J. Marsh, Victoria Ann Martin, Brian Patrick Martines, Brittney Mary Mazur, Kerrianne Mazur, Jordan Robert Anthony McCormack, Devon Elyse McElroy, Erin Kimi McHale, Kaitlyn Marie Michalek, Emily Anne Mineo, Patrick Bailey Mizok, Joseph Montaro, Gina Maria Morgese, Jason Anthony Costa Mota, Christopher Tyler Murphy, Leandra Janet Nash, Jared Michael Nicholoff, Natalie Ann Osborne, Jacquelyn Alena Pavlikowski, Nicole Ann Pesota, Samantha Lynn Piwowarski, Elizabeth Gloria Polishan, Katie Elizabeth Purcell, Sydney Lee Read, Emily Ann Roche, Charles Patrick Rogers, Antonio Sacco, Stephen Michael Saltisiak, Mary Ann Seamon, John Michael Sempa, Christian Daniel Simrell, Jeffrey Paul Solimine, Hali Autumn Somers, Colin Joseph Sposto, Kayla Ann Sposto, Lauren Elizabeth Strony, Nicole Elizabeth Tanana, Tyler Daniel Walsh, Thomas John Warden, Kristen Patricia Waznak, Joshua Michael Wombacker and Bruce James Yankelitis II.Valedictorian Scott Kearney
-âParents: Jack and Cathy Kearney
-âAchievements, honors, activities: Member of NEIU Scholastic Bowl, National Honor Society, history/political science club, Latin club, pro-life club, IHM Program, varsity golf team for four years where he was Second Team Division II Lackawanna All-Star this year, varsity baseball team for three years, distinguished honors student. Scott received the Magna Cum Laude medal in 2011 and 2013 in National Latin Exam, Dunmore Lions Club Top Male Student Athlete for Holy Cross, 2013 Bishop's Youth Award, 2013 Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar, NEIU 19 Holy Cross Scholar of the Year.
-âPlans: Attend the University of Maryland to major in civil engineering
Salutatorian Alexandra Antonio
-âParents: Mark Antonio and Debra Merrick
-âAchievements, honors, activities: Varsity basketball cheerleading captain, IHM Scholar Distinguished Honor Student, National Latin Exam silver and bronze medalist, member of National Honor Society, pro-life club, foreign language club, environmental club, yearbook club and Crusaders for Compassion.
-âPlans: Attend La Salle University and major in biochemistry with an eventual career goal as a researcher at a pharmaceutical company.