06/07/2017 Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Graduation

Blessed Sacrament Huguenot

GRADUATION A Special Supplement to Powhatan Today June 7, 2017

Class of 2017

College Plans

Below is the list of seniors and the colleges they have been accepted to or will be attending.

Kirsten Anderson .Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Brian Yong Hwak Lee ...................................Virginia Military Institute

Jacob Bonds .......................................................University of Tennessee

James Morsch ............................................................Lynchburg College

Madeline Bryant ................................... John Tyler Community College

Anh Hong Nguyen .......... J. Sargeant’s Reynolds Community College

Haley Byers ..........................................................Longwood University

Andrew Olsen . ..................................................... High Point University

Joshua Chisolm ............................................ Saint Andrew’s University

Nathan Radossevich . ...........................................Longwood University

Carter Davis .................................................. Saint Andrew’s University

Coleman Smith .... Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Abigail Goodwyn . ...............................................Longwood University

Jessica Townsend .................................................Longwood University

Beatrice Goodwyn ...............................................University of Virginia

Jack Williams ............................................... James Madison University

James Gregg III ....Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Adria Yi .................Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

David Hall .................................................... James Madison University

Andrew Yong jo Yi............................... John Tyler Community College

James Heldmann ........................................ Coastal Carolina University

William Ziletti ......Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Reed Hildebrand . ......................................... James Madison University

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Blessed Sacrament Huguenot June 7, 2017

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No place like BSH

Valedictory Address

By Kirsten Anderson Valedictorian of Blessed Sacrament Huguenot

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Kirsten Anderson

ood Afternoon everyone! It is an honor to speak to you today. I promise I will make my speech short because I know how badly we all want our diplomas. When I sat down to write this speech, I had no idea where to start or what I wanted to say. So, like any high school student, I turned to google for the answers. After sifting through a multitude of sites explaining how to write a good valedictorian speech, I came away with what not to put in my speech.

Google had many answers for me. One of those answers was that you shouldn’t thank too many people in your speech, because it will sound repetitive. But it would only sound repetitive if you didn’t say why you were thankful for them. So I would like to start by thanking the teachers and faculty at BSH. You all are relentlessly helpful, incredibly caring, and greatly appreciated. Thank you to our families because you support us through everything, and we appreciate that you will never leave our

sides. I know that as we grow up and move out, we will miss the free rent and free food.

Thank you to our friends who are our number one fans: high school would not have been the same without you. You’re the ones who have made high school as memorable as it is. To all of you, we would not and certainly could not be here if you had not taught us, supported us, and led us, so once again, thank you.

Google also suggested that you shouldn’t say trite things in your speech like “these are the years we’ll look back on,” “graduation is only the beginning,” or “there’s no place like high school.” However cliche these phrases are, they’re true. These are the days we’ll look back on. For most of this class, our BSH journey did not begin in high school. In fact, for some, BSH is the only school we have ever known.

We all share countless memories here, whether you’ve been going here for one year or for 15.

We promise that we will not only look back on our time spent here, but we will also come back to visit. In the “Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy says “There’s no place like home.” I find this statement so true, and there truly is no place like BSH. The teachers, faculty, and students

become your family, and this school and the people in it will always hold a special place in our hearts.

I also found several sample valedictorian speeches from past years. Then I wondered what made me so different that I should stand before you and give you all advice? I share roughly the same amount of life experience as the rest of you, and I wouldn’t be able to tell you anything you didn’t already know. So I’d like to highlight some of the things I believe we have learned as a class: 1.

Parents are much smarter than they appear - and if we’re being honest, they’re usually right.

2.

Sometimes, trying is the best you can do. You won’t be good at everything.

3.

Procrastination is a problem of our class’s (side note, I actually finished this speech this morning).

As we graduate today, I am excited to see what the future holds for all of us. Hopefully, we’ll learn a few more things, have a few more people to thank, and remember BSH as our true home. Congratulations Class of 2017, graduation is only the beginning!

With a Firm Foundation...

Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Graduates of 2017 “Go forward in hope”

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Delegate Lee Ware A Special Supplement to Powhatan Today

Authorized by Friends of Lee Ware, Bill Edmunds, Treasurer Blessed Sacrament Huguenot n June 7, 2017

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Congratulations Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Class of 2017 photos by KENNY MOORE

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Powhatan Today n Blessed Sacrament Huguenot n June 7, 2017

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BSH Senior Retreat

River Outdoor Adventure Park in Farmville

Contributed Photos

The BSH Senior Retreat took place on May 22 and 23 at the Sandy River Outdoor Adventure Park in Farmville. The seniors and their chaperones experienced a three-hour treetop adventure of high ropes and ziplines, performed trust and team bonding exercises, gathered together for meals, made s’mores and watched evening shows on an outdoor screen brought in by the students, stayed together in cabins, and all attended mass at St. Theresa Catholic Church the following morning. It was truly remarkable to see the seniors come together to reflect on the past, express gratitude in the present, and share their excitement for the future. This was a perfect way to send off the class of 2017 by sharing memories and celebrating all of God’s blessings.

Congratulations Class of 2017!

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Blessed Sacrament Huguenot n June 7, 2017

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2017 BSH Commencement 23 seniors bid Blessed Sacrament farewell Contributed Report Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Catholic School featured 23 graduates at its 2017 commencement exercises held on Saturday, June 3 in W.R. Parker Memorial Gymnasium. The commencement speaker was Rory Brosius, longtime deputy director of Joining Forces and current vice president of ScoutComms.

Presiding at the Baccalaureate Mass

held on Wednesday, May 31 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church was Father Walter Lewis.

Valedictorian Kirsten Anderson was the 2017 recipient of the GE Foundation Star Grant and will be attending Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to study Chemical Engineering.

Salutatorian James Heldmann was selected into the Honors Program at

Coastal Carolina University where he will study marine biology.

Graduates of Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Catholic School were accepted to 33 different institutions across the United States, with a 100 percent acceptance rate for the class. Additionally, two of its graduates were able to continue their athletic careers by signing on to play sports at the collegiate level.

PHOTOS BY KENNY MOORE

The Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Catholic School Class of 2017 stands at their graduation on June 3.

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Blessed Sacrament Huguenot June 7, 2017

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Blessed Sacrament Huguenot’s Class of 2017

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Shown is the Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Catholic School Class of 2017, above, and the members of the class in National Honor Society, top.

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Blessed Sacrament Huguenot June 7, 2017

A Special Supplement to Powhatan Today