Donovan Catholic, Toms River

Donovan Catholic students from the Class of 2021 pray during their Baccalaureate Mass held June 6 in St. Joseph Church, Toms River.

Mike Ehrmann photo

 Donovan Catholic

High School

TOMS RIVER 

Graduates: 178 Baccalaureate Mass: June 6, 2021 St. Joseph Church, Toms River Commencement: June 7, 2021 St. Joseph Church, Toms River Scholarships Received: $26.6 million

Valedictorian: Mackenzie O’Connor

Salutatorian: Katerina Rigas

Donovan Catholic graduates urged to keep focus on what is ‘real and true’

BY CHRISTINA LESLIE  Correspondent

The extended family of Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River, celebrated the 178 blue-gowned graduates of the Class of 2021 June 6 and 7 in St. Joseph Church which shares its campus.

Father Edward Blanchett, episcopal vicar of Ocean County, extended greetings on behalf of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., to the students at the June 6 Baccalaureate Mass. Concelebrating with him were Msgr. Kenard Tuzeneu, pastor of St. Mary Parish, Barnegat; St. Joseph Parish parochial vicars Father Gerald Johnson and Father Naiser Cardenas, and Father G. Scott Shaffer, St. Joseph pastor and Donovan Catholic director. Father Shaffer reminded the students that life is full of storms, whether they be meteorological like Superstorm Sandy; medical, in the form of the ongoing pandemic, or the current political tumult.

“To see what is real and true, we will need light unfailing,” Father Shaffer said. “We have voices on each shoulder, an angel and a devil; which voice do we listen to? Take your lessons learned at Donovan Catholic to help you make the right choices. [Jesus Christ] is the anchor around which our truth revolves.”

At the June 7 graduation ceremony, principal Dr. Edward Gere reiterated the school’s mission statement: to educate its students to live their faith, show respect and serve others in a global society and pursue academic excellence in a college preparatory environment.

“This has been our GPS,” Dr. Gere said. “Take that GPS with you, continue to live your faith,

___________________  __________________ “At Donovan Catholic, we are taught that, ‘God created mankind in his image… God looked at everything he had made and found it very good.’ We are taught that we are dear ones, and those of you I have had the privilege of befriending have taught me that every person is uniquely impressive and worth knowing.” Mackenzie O’Connor, valedictorian ___________________  __________________ Students Mackenzie O’Connor and Jahdir Loftland are bestowed with the Griffin Award for student athletes by Dr. Edward Gere, principal, on left, and Father G. Scott Shaffer, pastor. Joe Moore photo

STJOESCHOOLTR.ORG DONOVANCATHOLIC.ORG

TOMS RIVER

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., addresses the graduates of St. Rose High School, Belmar, at their Baccalaureate Mass May 27. Vic Mistretta photo

Class OF 2021

Graduates of Donovan Catholic toss their mortarboards for a photo op following Commencement Exercises in St. Joseph Church, Toms

River. Joe Moore photo

Following a longstanding tradition, one of 11 students of “legacy parents” – alumnae of St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel – receives her diploma from her mother.

Vic Mistretta photo

Congratulations are in order for a Class of 2021 graduate of Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, Delran, during the school’s Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises held June 5. Hal Brown photo

As Commencement concludes June 1 in St. Mary, Mother of God Church, a proud Mater Dei Prep graduate carries his diploma from the Middletown

____________________________ Graduates from the 11 secondary schools in the Diocese of Trenton were all smiles as they marked academic and faith-filled milestones before family, friends and faculty this May and June, illustrating once again that “Catholic schools have it all!”

school. Vic Mistretta photo

Graduates of Red Bank Catholic High School await the beginning of their Baccalaureate Mass May 27 with Msgr. Joseph N. Rosie, pastor of St. James Parish, Red Bank,

and concelebrants. John Batkowski photo

Long-Awaited Day

Noah Gerber served as cross bearer while classmates Max Ferraro and Christopher DeSousa led the procession May 18 for Christian Brothers Academy,

Lincroft. John Batkowski photo

Graduates of Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Princeton, wear the Kente Graduation stole presented to them by the Black Alumnae Affinity Group. The cloth garment is similar to standard Graduation stoles and includes woven patterns of the traditional West African Kente cloth. Courtesy photo

Long-Awaited Day

Trenton Catholic Academy’s Michael Elizondo and his classmates clutch their diplomas on May 27 in the school gymnasium.

Joe Moore photo

Villa Victoria Academy graduates Maxine Donnelly, Giavanna Cucarese and Isis Henderson sing during the Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Msgr. John Dermond June

6. Hal Brown photo

A graduate of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, receives her diploma and a hug from her proud alumna parent during June 6 Commencement Exercises in CURE Arena, Trenton. Hal Brown photo