PROVIDENCE — Since it was invented in March by a young Italian Web designer not much older than him, Nick Gardner has enjoyed playing the wildly popular application 2048 on his iPhone. The math-based puzzle game forces you to think on your feet, making split-second decisions, with the victorious creating a single tile out of many flashing before them, with the sum being 2,048.
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He applauds the 19-year-old designer for taking a clean, simple idea and combining it with hard work and a sense of direction to create a product now played the world over. Applying that formula for success to one’s life, he says, will never fail you.
In his address to his fellow graduates and all those in attendance at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul for Bishop Hendricken High School’s commencement on Friday, June 13, Gardner, valedictorian of the Class of 2014, spoke of how the playing of such games reinforces the notion that every action comes with a consequence.
“If we are aware of the consequences our actions may have, they will not become obstacles,” said Gardner, a parishioner at St. Bernard Parish in North Kingstown, who is bound for Duke University in the fall.
The valedictorian reflected on his four years at Hendicken, noting how the 197 members of the Class of 2014 have been more than just schoolmates, they are a brotherhood.
“We were privileged to attend a school that fosters the greatest sense of brotherhood out there. During my four years, I’ve met some of the nicest, coolest and most interesting kids around. I am honored to call you my brothers.”
Gardner processed into the cathedral along with his school brothers, clad in Hendricken’s traditional hunter green caps and gowns. They came up from the cathedral hall downstairs through a side entrance, each passing by the tomb of the school’s namesake, Bishop Thomas Francis Hendricken, who spearheaded the drive to build the magnificent cathedral, which will celebrate the 125th anniversary of its consecration on June 29.
At the beginning of the commencement, Father Christopher J. Murphy, the school’s chaplain, knelt in brief prayer before the green marble sarcophagus. Accompanying him were graduating seniors Austin D. Crawford and Kelsey Woodbine who each carried a basket of flowers of remembrance to place at the tomb.
Bishop Hendricken President John A. Jackson, himself a graduate of the Class of ’71, spoke to those who filled the cathedral for the ceremony of the legacy that Bishop Hendricken has left for all across the diocese as he addressed the graduates.
“In this sacred space we thank you for all the gifts and talents you have shared with us during the course of your Hendricken careers. You have been great ambassadors for our school, you have set a wonderful example for the underclassmen and you deserve all of the honors and accolades that you have earned,” he told the graduates.
While Jackson spoke of the enduring legacy left by Bishop Hendricken, salutatorian Chris Bianco posed in his address a question for his fellow graduates to contemplate while they were gathered: “What is our legacy?”
He asked what others would think about first when remembering the Class of 2014. Would they be thought of as the class that secured the first football four-peat in state history? Or perhaps they would be known as the class that led the 40th Hunger Walk, or the last class to experience the Christian Brothers presence at Hendricken?
Despite the successes they’ve had, Bianco noted that those achievements do not really define them as a class.
“They all describe the things that we did, but our accomplishments can’t really set us apart from any of the other classes that graduated in this cathedral. We need to find what makes us different,” said Bianco, who will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the fall.
What he feels made his class different was the incredible acts of character exhibited by many of his classmates.
He applauded the efforts of Sean Kelly, winner of this year’s Man of the Year Award, who played in integral role in helping the football team win its fourth straight championship, all the while maintaining a spot in the Top 3 of the class.
“A little known fact, Sean was actually first in our class at the end of our freshman year, but he dropped back on purpose just so Nick [Gardner] and I would be able to have a chance to get an award.
On the only member of the class with a grade point average higher than his, Bianco said that Gardner is truly deserving of the top spot.
“His work ethic has never ceased to amaze me these past four years, and I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to congratulate him.”
Bianco also recognized Class President Chris Caramello for his contributions to making the year an enjoyable one for the class.
“My only question is whether he’ll become president or pope,” he said, to broad smiles from the crowd.
Gus Culpo, who transferred into Bishop Hendricken in his junior year, said he initially didn’t subscribe to the idea that the students at the school were more of a brotherhood than simply classmates. But after two years at the school, his mind-set has definitely changed.
“I really didn’t believe it at first, but I’ve met so many great people here. It’s true,” said Culpo, who plans to attend Worcester Academy for a post graduate year.
