Catholic Memorial Graduates 2013 Class

The following article was written by Susan Griffin of Catholic Memorial. Click here to see more photos of graduation day.

Catholic Memorial School celebrated its 53rd Commencement Exercises on Thursday May 23 in West Roxbury’s Holy Name Church. One hundred and twenty-two seniors and their families gathered for an emotional and touching ceremony.

Class salutatorian Cody Karjadi of Framingham thanked the CM community and families.

“Today is not only a time to reflect and appreciate all that we have accomplished, but also to acknowledge the support that was given to us,” he said.

“If nothing else, today is about being grateful. Be grateful for being a part of the CM community, for your dedicated teachers, your friends and family - especially your parents and guardians,” said Karjadi.

CM principal Richard Chisholm welcomed parents, families and guests to the ceremony. In a speech given the evening before at the Baccalaureate Mass, he reminded graduates that, like all good sailors, they will be blown off course. “Enjoy the rewards from your trips when your sails are in the wind. Learn from your mistakes when you run aground and don’t make excuses for them,” he advised.

Several seniors then received special academic awards and honors. Mr. Chisholm announced that the Class of 2013 earned over $8.5 million in scholarships, and acceptance at the country's best colleges and universities, including the U.S. Naval Academy, Boston University, Boston College, Clemson, Purdue, Northeastern and Tufts.

In addressing the graduates President Paul Sheff stressed the importance of perseverance and noted that most graduates will most likely hold three jobs before their fifth class reunion. 

“I do not wish you to grow discouraged or anxious about the days ahead,” Sheff said. “If your Catholic Memorial education was of any value, it lay in the understanding that success of any sort – on the athletic fields, in academics, or in extracurricular activities – comes not just to the swift or smart, but to those who work hard, who persevere and make the best of the talents God has given to each.“ 

Class valedictorian John Allaire of Westwood offered two key pieces of advice to his classmates. “Number one is to be thankful,” he said. “Take a minute each day to be grateful and show others how much they mean to you.” 

“Number two is to enjoy every minute,” Allaire said. “Sometimes, we let our worries and problems get in the way of the bigger picture. Focus your time and energy on how you can better yourself and better the world.”