Community Corner
Graduation at Mother Seton Regional High School
Mother Seton
Commencement
Mother
Seton Regional High
School, Clark, New
Jersey, held Commencement exercises on May 29, 2014. Diplomas were presented by members of the
administrative team: Sister Jacquelyn
Balasia, Joan Barron and Maureen Connell. The
class of 2014 has achieved in excess of 14 million dollars in academic
scholarships and awards as of May 29,
2014. Maureen
Connell delivered the invocation and Sister Jacquelyn
announced the academic scholarships awards.
Rev. Kevin Murphy, a member of the social studies department at Mother
Seton gave the closing benediction.
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In her
congratulatory remarks, Joan Barron stated:
“Today, Graduates, you leave these halls of truth and knowledge and head
for new beginnings at colleges and universities about the country. In time, you will discover the true value of
a Mother Seton education. It will be measured by the life you lead. Use your leadership wisely. You are empowered by your faith-trust God.
Remember to continue to give service-service to others first. Count your blessings. Make everyday count. Count yourself fortunate to have received a
Mother Seton education. Don’t always
count on needing a calculator. Use your
mind. May God bless you, Class of 2014.
Congratulations and stay classy!”
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The
Administrators’ Award for academic excellence during the past four years was
awarded to Valedictorian, Erin Alexander, Linden
and Salutatorian, ChristelleMarie Chua, Edison. The Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Award for
exemplary witness to Christian values during the past four years was awarded to
Erin Alexander.
Erin Alexander,
Valedictorian, shared these thoughts with her classmates: “We made it. You should be incredibly proud of that,
because as you know, high school wasn’t always easy. The most important learning experiences never
are. Life is going to be what you make
of it. I can’t promise you will all be
millionaires, but I can tell you this.
Right now, you have before you an opportunity. You have all that you need to be successful. Mother
Seton Regional High
School has given you the knowledge, strength,
support, any very soon, the diploma that you need. Whether you choose to embrace the path to
success is up to you. I want you to be
successful people in the world, and when you are, I want you to take time to
enjoy life. We’ve been blessed with
friendships and experiences that have brought so much happiness to our
lives. We’ve learned the importance of
serving others and developed the skills to be leaders. This school has helped each of us to grow in
our faith, knowledge and love. We must take
with us the spirit of Mother Seton.” Erin
will be attending the University of Scranton
in the fall.
(more)
Salutatorian, ChristelleMarie Chua
stated: “After this, when we all
dispense to pursue our dreams, we must never forget that what is written is
written. In life, there is no editing of
past content. From this day onward, our
high school life is cemented. Hopefully,
this sidewalk will become a place of positive nostalgia. If not, you still have a few hours to mold
the congealing cement into what you want it to be. It’s our last time all together; make the
most of it. If you are unsure about your future, which I know I am to some
degree, remember that self-care is not conceit.
Don’t skip meals; get enough sleep; take care of yourself. To the administration, to the faculty and
staff, thank you for impressing our lives with your loving presence. To the family and friends here today,
thank-you for celebrating with us our graduates, and for supporting us
unconditionally. ChristelleMarie will be
attending New York University
in the fall.
Marialaina
Nissenbaum, Class President, invited the members of the class
of 2014 to join her in turning their tassels as a symbol of their graduation
from Mother Seton
Regional High School.
Marialaina will be attending the University
of New Haven in the fall.
Departmental Awards
for academic excellence are awarded to the following:
Art Christina
Campos, Bloomfield
AP Calculus Kristin Salazar, South
River
AP English Amanda Blanco,
Edison
AP French ChristelleMaria Chua, Edison
Physical
Education Alison Hrevnack,Union
Religious
Studies Elizabeth Valenti, Iselin
AP Physics Erin
Alexander, Linden
AP Social Studies
ChristelleMarie Chua, Edison
AP Spanish Erin Alexander,
Linden, Amanda Blanco, Edison
National Merit
Scholarship Program Commended Students
Erin
Alexander, Linden Amanda Blanco, Edison Kristen Salazar, South River
Seton Distinguished
Scholars
Erin
Alexander, Linden
Bridget Duffy, Cranford
Catherine
Bialkowski, Clifton Caitlyn Lagrada, Edison
Amanda
Blanco, Edison Marialaina
Nissenbaum, Fords
Emily
Bledsoe, Linden
Kristen Salazar, South
River
ChristelleMarie Chua, Edison
Arienne Saldanha, Iselin
Elizabeth Valenti, Iselin
(more)
Scholar-Athletes
New
Jersey State Interscholastic
Association – Anna Lisa Onday, Edison
Greater
Middlesex Conference – Lena Buccigrossi, East
Brunswick
Photographs attached
Left to Right:
#118 Students leading the Commencement Procession:
U.S.
Flag: Elizabeth Valenti
Candle-Bearer: Caitlyn Lagrada
Cross: Amanda Blanco
Candle-
Bearer: Catherine
Bialkowski
Papal Flag: Elizabeth Stoldt
Yearbook: Marialaina Nissenbaum
Diploma: Erin Alexander
#127 Arienne Saldanha, Kimberly Yip
#162 Monica Lyons Bledsoe, Class of 1978
with her daughter, Emily Bledsoe, Class of 2014
Photos by Joan Barron