PROVIDENCE—Although Andres Taborda is wrapping up what he calls the best four years of his life at St. Raphael Academy, there will always be a place in his heart for his beloved alma mater.
As he moves on to college, Taborda plans on returning regularly to St. Raphael so he can help guide future graduates to ensure they have the same unforgettable high school experience that he has had.
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“I’ll be getting involved with the St. Raphael alumni association right away,” Taborda said as he prepared to join the 108 members of the 2011 senior class in a procession to their graduation at the Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul on June 12.
“It was the best four years that I’ve spent, not only for the academics, but for the life lessons as well,” added Taborda, who will enter a program of Global Studies this fall at Providence College, which awarded him a full four-year Martin Luther King Jr. scholarship—one of only three such scholarships awarded to an incoming freshman. He has his sights set on enrolling in the college’s Blackfriar’s program, which entails a year of international study at Blackfriars College at Oxford University.
He didn’t know it at the time, but for his numerous contributions to the St. Raphael community, Taborda would go on to receive during the ceremony the Edith Peck Philips Memorial Award.
“It is the most prestigious acknowledgement of the contributions a student can make,” said Principal Maryann Donohue-Lynch.
One of Taborda’s language teachers, Lena Craig, said she couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of the award, which is voted on by faculty.
“Andres has limitless potential and does not waste any opportunity that comes his way. He shines in everything he does,” said Craig.
Valedictorian Gregory Jude Pereira won his share of the merit awards, garnering honors in excellence in theology, science and social studies, as well as three merit awards, and the Senator Pell medal in American History.
In his address, Pereira noted the place of the senior class in the school’s storied history.
“Over the years this class has proven itself capable,” he said, noting the formation of the school’s first Mock Trial teams and the stunning open state division title the basketball team brought home this year.
“We were the first class to experience Alumni Hall all four years,” he said.
Pereira likened their collective experience at the conclusion of their high school careers to the movie “Forest Gump.”
“On this day, we all have a box of chocolates before us. This last piece is bittersweet,” he said.
The valedictorian reminded his fellow graduates that they are all blessed with gifts from God.
“God has given us our own unique and individual personalities,” he said.
He then drew upon the words of author Herman Melville in encouraging his peers to blaze their own trails in life.
“It is better to fail at originality than to succeed at imitation,” he said.
In the tradition of the school’s De LaSalle Christian Brothers, Pereira called upon his classmates to continue their commitment to service.
“If faith is genuine, it must be put into action,” he said.
The class, he said, had contributed 4,320 hours of service to the school and community, six months of non-stop service, he said.
Pereira will attend Providence College, which awarded him a St. Catherine of Siena scholarship in the amount of $97,000.
Salutatorian Danielle Marie Karcher certainly made a commitment to service in her years at St. Raphael, assisting in a soup kitchen and serving as a Eucharistic minister among the many contributions she has made to the school community.
“At St. Raphael, I’ve been immersed in a diverse background, rooted in a spirit of faith and service,” Karcher said in her address.
She related a story about the students’ participation in the St. Raphael Olympic Games to remind her classmates of how there is strength in numbers, and that anything can be accomplished when everyone bands together for a cause.
“As soon as we pulled it together, we had everything we needed to win,” she said.
And for challenges that may seem more difficult, the school’s staff is always a resource that can be counted on.
“At St. Ray’s, we are surrounded by people who will help us through whatever obstacle we face,” she said.
“Nothing is out of reach if we strive to meet our dreams,” she said.
Many students spoke of how closely the school community at St. Raphael resembles a family.
“We truly all know each other,” said Haley Dalton, of Pawtucket, who will study travel and hospitality at Johnson & Wales University this fall. “We really have become a family.”
Bishop Robert C. Evans presided over St. Raphael Academy’s 84th commencement.
“Over the last four years your characters, your spirit and your souls—not just your intellect—have been trained,” Bishop Evans said.
Bishop Evans reminded the students to thank their parents for making this moment possible for them.
“They did it not for themselves, but for you so you could not only make a living, but have a life.”
