As we close another academic school year, I want to send a note of congratulations to our recent high school graduates, as well as to the faculty and administrators who guided them during their tenure in Catholic high schools. I would also like to thank the parents for entrusting their children’s education to us. It is clear that graduates of the Catholic school system are not only better prepared to meet the academic rigors of college, but leave their schools knowing that their knowledge is to be used to do more. Society needs leaders with a Christo-centric worldview. I am proud to send our graduates out into this world with an understanding that Christ walks with them in all of their endeavors.
I am so proud of our nearly 2,000 graduates from Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 2019. This school year, more than 23,000 students attended Catholic schools in San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo counties. We welcome those members of our community who are not currently attending a school in the Archdiocese to send your child to one of our 21 preschools, 55 elementary schools, and 13 high schools. Join us in our mission to grow our students’ understanding that they are God’s beloved so they may fully realize God’s plan for them.
Many Blessings,
Pamela Lyons
Superintendent of Schools
Archdiocese of San Francisco
Archbishop Riordan High School graduated 148 young men on May 25 in the James Lindland Theatre. Andrew Currier, president, and Timothy Reardon, principal, presented diplomas. The Class of 2019 earned millions of dollars in merit scholarships, and will be attending top universities across the U.S. and pursuing military careers and trade programs. They also completed 17,000 hours of service to the community during their time at Riordan.
Convent High School graduated 59 students on May 31 at 2222 Broadway, San Francisco while Stuart Hall High School graduated 53 students the same day at 1715 Octavia St., San Francisco. Convent High School valedictorian is Caroline “Kiki” Apple. Stuart Hall High School valedictorian is Gordon “Leet” Miller. Diplomas were conferred at both schools by Gabriela Parcella, chair of the board, and Ann Marie Krejcarek, president.
ICA-Cristo Rey celebrated 90 young women on May 31 at USF’s St. Ignatius Church. Graduates from the class of 2019 earned nearly $17 million in scholarships and grants and were accepted at over 580 schools nationwide. Diplomas were presented by school president Sister Diane Aruda, and principal Dr. George Fornero. Also in attendance was assistant superintendent, curriculum and instruction, and ICA alumna Susana Lapeyrade-Drummond.
Two hundred seniors graduated from Junipero Serra High School on June 1 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco. This year’s graduates received $29.5 million in college scholarships and completed 30,813 hours of community service. The graduation Mass was celebrated by Father Joe Bradley ‘73, and diplomas were presented by principal Barry Thornton. Valedictorians were Lee Moyer, Nicholas Lochrie and Juliano Rodriguez.
Marin Catholic presented diplomas to 161 graduates on May 30 at the Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium at the Civic Center in San Rafael. Parker Brown was honored as valedictorian and Sophia Doerschlag as salutatorian. The Class of 2019 received over 800 acceptances to colleges and universities nationwide. They are recognized for their achievements including 29,067 Christian service hours contributed to people in need locally and around the world. Presenting diplomas were Marin Catholic president Tim Navone and principal Chris Valdez.
Mercy High School, Burlingame graduated 87 seniors on June 2 at St. Ignatius Church in San Francisco. Graduates were accepted to 159 colleges and universities in the United States and internationally, and were awarded over $9.7 million in scholarships. Karen Hanrahan, head of school, presented diplomas.
Mercy High School, San Francisco, graduated 81 young women on June 1 at Holy Name of Jesus Church, San Francisco. This year’s graduates were accepted to more than 127 colleges and universities throughout the United States and were awarded more than $12 million in scholarships toward their college education. Kamille Dyan Fernandez and Tatiana Jimenez have both have been on the honor roll each year. Sister Carolyn Krohn, head of school; Emily Ambrosino, dean of teaching and learning; and Raquel Oliva-Gomez, dean of student life and school culture, presented diplomas.
Notre Dame Belmont celebrated 102 graduates on May 30 at St. Pius Church, Redwood City. All graduates will be attending college in the fall and received nearly $9 million in scholarships. Maryann Osmond, head of school, and Carolyn Hutchins, associate head of school for student affairs, presented diplomas. Zoe De Bretagne and Preyasi Kumar were, valedictorian and salutatorian respectively.
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory graduated 308 seniors at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday, May 25. Graduates were accepted into 275 colleges and universities across 46 states and eight different countries. Notable acceptances include Stanford University, Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University and Duke University. Diplomas to the Class of 2019 were presented by president Melinda Lawlor Skrade and principal Gary J. Cannon.
Sacred Heart Preparatory graduated 149 students on May 23. Graduates from the Class of 2019 will attend 78 institutions. Thirteen students earned recognition by the National Merit Scholarship program, and the class was awarded more than $12 million in merit scholarships. Twenty-five have committed to play intercollegiate athletics. Diplomas were presented by Richard A. Dioli, director of schools; Jennie Whitcomb, principal; Anna McDonald, assistant principal for academic life; and Shami Ravi, chair of the Board of Trustees. Class valedictorian Hannah Cevasco and classmate Rayan Rizvi, were recognized as “dark blue ribbon” students for embodying school values and goals. Classmate Walker Seymour was elected by his peers to give the salutatory address.
St. Ignatius College Preparatory presented diplomas to 354 members of the Class of 2019 at the June 1 commencement exercises at USF’s Memorial Gym presided over by president Ed Reese, SJ, and principal Patrick Ruff. Members of the class earned more than $35 million in scholarship aid and completed thousands of hours of community service. Sophia Leon Guerrero served as valedictorian and Jonathan Abad received the Ignatian Award, the school’s highest honor. Lizzy Reardon served as salutatorian and other top awards went to Sean Fitzgerald and Robert Velasco.
Woodside Priory High School graduated 73 students on June 1 at the Father Christopher Field on the Priory campus. Emma Jaeger served as valedictorian and Andrew Sirenko as salutatorian. Priory graduates were accepted to more than 150 colleges and universities throughout the world and were offered more than $3.3 million in scholarships toward their college educations. Brian Schlaak, head of the upper school recommended the graduates to Tim Molak, head of school, who presented them with their Priory diplomas.