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Diocesan Valedictorians and Salutatorians say high schools have prepared them for their future
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South Texas Catholic
lthough their end of the school year experience proved a bit disappointing, like missing their proms and parties, seniors celebrated their graduations in coronavirus style by attending a Baccalaureate Mass at Corpus Christi Cathedral on Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23. Sixty-three seniors from Incarnate Word Academy and 66 seniors from St. John Paul II completed their high school journey at the altar of Corpus Christi Cathedral. The students were allowed to have two guests, and their ceremonies were livestreamed thanks to Catholic Communications Network. Bishop Michael Mulvey celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass for both schools and the featured speakers at the Incarnate Word Academy High School commencement ceremony were class valedictorian Claire Thomas and salutatorians Anthony Matl and Alexandria Beltran. On the following day, at the St. John Paul II commencement ceremony featured speakers were valedictorian Sarah Lee Sang and salutatorian Sara Landa. Top-ranking graduates from Incarnate Word Academy and St. John Paul II High School have worked hard to achieve their goals, and they know that through their hard work and perseverance, they can become anything they set their minds to.
IWA Valedictorian, Claire Thomas
Claire Thomas, Incarnate Word Academy valedictorian, loves to serve and grow in her faith. She plans on attending Thomas Aquinas College in California in the fall and will shoot for a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts. She chose the college because of its curriculum. She will be studying the Great Books, books written by masters like Plato, Aristotle, Shakespeare, and St. Thomas Aquinas. Instead of lectures, she will have discussion-based classes. “I think that will help me understand theology and philosophy so much better,” she said. “I’ve always kind of thought about going to law school or possibly becoming a lawyer.” Claire grew up in the Catholic faith, she and her family have been long-time parishioners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Portland. “My parents encouraged me to make the most out of high school and always to do my best in every activity I pursued,” she said. “What I admire most about Claire is her love for the Lord, her outlook on life and work ethic,” Alyssa Thomas said of her daughter. Echoing the same sentiments as his wife, Stephen 12
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Thomas, added, “Claire inspires me to be a better Catholic. She’s devoted and knowledgeable about her faith, and she’s interested in learning more about Christianity and the Church,” he said, adding, “She has been an altar server for as long as she could be.” She is also willing to serve the Church in whatever capacity is needed. This year she provided the liturgical music for Mass at the middle level, taught Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and played the piano for the choir. Claire has other interests too; she played on the high school basketball team and ran cross-country on the track team. When she was just a freshman, she founded Angels for Life, a Pro-Life organization and served as president for three years. She was in the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society. “My favorite class in high school was calculus because I had an excellent teacher, Mrs. [Theresa] Mader, who helped me to truly understand and appreciate mathematics,” Claire said. “Incarnate Word Academy has allowed me to grow in faith and knowledge for the past twelve years,” she said. “High school has prepared us for anything the world can throw at us, as long as we rely on God.”
IWA Salutatorian, Anthony Matl
Anthony Matl, one of two salutatorians from Incarnate Word Academy this year, wants to become a Software Developer. He will be attending Texas A&M University College Station in the fall. He received several grants and awards, which will help get him started in the fall. Like Claire, his favorite class was calculus, “because it challenged my critical thinking,” he said. Anthony said that it was his father who encouraged him the most to excel in school. “My father grew up an immigrant, so he really knows the value of a good education. Had he not escaped from communist Czechoslovakia, he would not have received an education past middle school,” Anthony said. During high school, Anthony was an Eagle Scout, Debate Club President, National Honor Society Vice President, and a member of the Varsity Basketball team. “Incarnate Word Academy really helps you make the most out of high school. The teachers and counselors all know you and help you every step of the way as you prepare for college,” he said. “To the Class of 2020, I would like to say – whether it seems like it or not, our entire lives are a spiritual journey. We are not truly living if we are not growing in our faith.”
