HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS 2011

La Salle graduates celebrate accomplishments

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PROVIDENCE—Engraved above the stone steps in front of La Salle Academy is the school motto. “Nemo adolescentiam tvam contemnat,” translated from Latin as “Let no one look down on you because you are young.”

A motto that the students have lived out each and every day on campus, said La Salle graduate Ryan Sweeney at the commencement ceremony at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul.

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“Entering the Academy as freshmen, we were most definitely small people,” he said. “Small in body, small in mind, and small in spirit. We have changed. Over the past four years, we have grown as a result of many people, especially our caring parents, who have sacrificed to send us to one of the finest schools in Rhode Island.”

As Sweeney recalled their freshman year, walking into the Academy, he remembers feeling small beside those stone steps in front of La Salle. Now, four years later, they stand high and posed on those same steps, framed by the La Salle motto.

“As we continue to grow, let us remember our motto,” he said. “Let us remember to never look down on others because they are young, but to, as persons at La Salle did for us, empower others with youthful spirit.”

In her address to the students, senior Amanda Morgan said that their experiences at La Salle Academy taught them more than any textbook possibly could.

“The academic opportunities at La Salle have made us intelligent young adults, but more importantly it is the relationships we have formed and memories we now share that have made us the people we are today,” she said. “Something that I have always cherished about La Salle is the strong sense of community we share. Whether it be a mission trip, a fundraiser, an athletic event, or a school play, a crowd of students is always eager to sign up, to help others, and to support their friends.”

This community spirit is not only present in the students, but within the faculty and administrators as well, Morgan said.

“We have been blessed with an opportunity to form meaningful relationships with teachers, coaches, directors, our chaplain, Father Najim and our dean, Mrs. Kelly, all of whom have made themselves and their guidance available to us whenever we needed them,” she explained. “It is the influence of these relationships and our parents, who have sacrificed so much for us, that have guided us and molded us to become who we are today.”

As President Brother Michael Mc Kenery, FSC, president of La Salle Academy, reflected about the Class of 2011, he felt a great sense of pride and happiness that in some small way he was a part of their experience at La Salle.

“I celebrate this evening your many accomplishments both as individuals and as a class,” he said. “As a class I sense a somewhat magical connection among all of you. There is a kinetic and tangible energy that both unifies and defines you. Special is indeed the word for both who you are and how you conducted yourselves.”

Brother Mc Kenery encouraged the graduates to embrace what makes them special and use it to glorify God.

“The gospel calls us to be the light of the world, not to hide our light under the bushel - be that light to the world, proclaim the gospel values you learned at La Salle Academy and live life well with intelligence and most importantly, integrity,” he shared with the students. “We expect nothing less of you. Each day of your life continue to remember that you live in the Holy Presence of God.”

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