Congratulations Class of 2022!

Members of the Elk County Catholic High School Class of 2022 gathered alongside family and friends Sunday afternoon as part of the school’s annual commencement ceremony.

The 45 members of the senior class, clad in maroon and gold gowns, processed into the auditorium to the traditional graduation hymn of “Pomp and Circumstance,” performed by the Elk County Catholic High School Band under the direction of Simon Glatt, followed by the playing of the national anthem.

The ceremony began with a brief welcome from Elk County Catholic School System President Sam MacDonald. Melaina Gradl played dual roles as both senior class president, who typically emcees the ceremony, and valedictorian. During her valedictorian address, Gradl shared stories about positive lessons learned from specific classmates in regard to them being good examples of when to follow and when to beak rules.

Salutatorian Alexander Wolfe offered a salute to ECC during his speech and touched on the challenges the class has faced, hurdles they will continue to encounter and how those challenges have shaped who they are.

Awards of excellence were then presented in numerous academic fields. Among the recipients were:

Gina Bush, theology, Audrey Dornisch, campus ministry, Melaina Gradl, social studies, Mara Lecker, music, Tanner Pasi, English, Jacquelyn Schatz, business, Thomas Slay, technology, Moira Stanisch, science, Alexander Wolfe, language and all subjects and Kevin Zheng, art.

The Gold Cross award was presented to Charlie Breindel and Hope Farley for consistently demonstrating qualities in mind, body and spirit.

Tami Geci and Luke Jansen received the Spirit and Essence of Elk County Catholic award for consistently showing Christian kindness in school and in the community.

Curriculum Director of the Diocesan Catholic Schools Office Lisa Panighetti offered brief complimentary comments to the students and the families. She then presented the Bishop’s Excellence Award to Melaina Gradl.

Earlier in the week, the class gathered to celebrate an alumni pinning ceremony and a senior awards banquet.

Faculty member Dana Gebauer announced each graduate as they were presented with their diplomas onstage by Sam MacDonald and Principal John Schneider.

Seventeen members of the class graduated with honors in which they were required to maintain a minimum quality point average of 92.5% for cum laude translated into “with distinction”, 93.5% for magna cum laude with great distinction and 96.5% for summa cum laude with highest distinction.

Those graduating with cum laude honors were Elena Ceroni, Katharine Kirst, Alexander Miller and Jacquelyn Schatz; with magna cum laude honors were, Jacqueline Aiello, Charlie Breindel, Caleb Chileski, Audrey Dornisch, Hope Farley, Tami Geci, Luke Jansen and Thomas Slay; and with sum cum laude honors were, Gina Bush, Melaina Gradl, Abigail Hasselman, Tanner Pasi, Moira Stanisch and Alexander Wolfe.

Following the awarding of diplomas, students were directed to move their tassels from the one side of their caps to the other side signifying their official graduation. Sounds of celebration filled the auditorium as the Class of 2022 became ECC’s newest alumni with many graduates tossing their hats into the air.

A closing prayer was then offered by Rev. Kevin Holland followed by the singing of the school’s alma mater.

Graduates concluded their time as ECC students as they took one final walk up the auditorium aisle accompanied by the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance.”

The school’s traditional Baccalaureate Mass was held prior to the commencement ceremony.

Following the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates and their families celebrated inside the school lobby and gathered for a photos outside under clear, sunny skies bidding their official farewells to the place they have called home the past four years.