Mater Dei Prep graduates and faculty listen intently during graduation exercises.
Vic Mistretta photos
Mater Dei Prep
MIDDLETOWN
Mater Dei grads called to be
disciples of Christ BY CHRISTINA LESLIE Correspondent
T
he 90 blue- and white-gowned seniors of Mater Dei Prep recently gathered twice in Mary, Mother of God Church, Middletown, to joyfully bring their high school careers to a triumphant finish. During the May 27 Baccalaureate Mass, celebrant Father Richard Osborn, chaplain of Mater Dei Prep and the parish’s parochial vicar, called the graduation “a great moment to pause and reflect on what has come already in your life, where you are right now, and what is coming next. This is a time of transition, one of the largest transitions of your life,” he told the students. But, Father Osborn added, they must also consider their spiritual goals. He queried, “How have you grown as a disciple of Christ? How will you be a good, faithful, loving member of society? How will you allow that to grow and shape who you are? The Lord desires to be with you every step of the way.” Many smiles and tears of joy accompanied the students as they fulfilled a longstanding tradition: each presented a rose to their parents in gratitude for their love and support throughout their academic career as the musician played, “Because
You Loved Me.” The graduating class of Seraphs had distinguished itself in many ways. The students excelled both academically and socially during the school year. The class earned almost $150,000 in scholarship monies per student, totaling $13.3 million dollars. As part of the school’s Emerging Global Leaders Institute, seniors Khalil Elamin and Alexis Lombardo were among youth from across the nation who addressed the body during the U.N. International Day of Peace last fall at its New York City headquarters. In the realm of performing arts, the Senior
Valedictorian: Grace Ellen Donohue
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Next to a portrait of Mater Dei founder, Msgr. Robert Bulman, Father Jeffrey Kegley addresses the graduates during the June 1 graduation.
Salutatorian: Ashton Matthew Benavides
Religious award recipient: Bridget Erin Sullivan
___________________ ___________________ “… I believe that its unique challenges have produced a class of resilient young men and women. We are stronger coming out of this year and I believe this fact can only aid us in the following years to come.” Grace Ellen Donohue, valedictorian ___________________ ___________________
Graduates: 90 Baccalaureate Liturgy: May 27, 2021 Mary, Mother of God Church, Middletown Commencement: June 1, 2021 Mary, Mother of God Church, Middletown Scholarships Received: $13.3 million
June 2021 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE
Class of 2021 29
