Schools

St. Bernard's Graduates 73 [VIDEO]

'The greatest moments of my life have happened here'

Seventy-three kids walked into St. Patrick's cathedral as students and walked out Friday as St. Bernard graduates.

Parents, grandparents, families and friends came from all over to attend the ceremony in the Norwich church.

Louis and Pam Muir live in Wyoming, and hadn't seen their grandson Justin Wader Perkins-Ollila for 12 years. But his dad was out on a submarine, Louis said, and couldn't be there, so they came East for the ceremony.

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Justin's dad had been out on a sub when Justin was born, as well, so being there in his stead seemed like the best thing to do.

During the ceremony, Pam held a photo of her son, Justin's dad, facing the graduates.

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Headmaster Thomas Doherty, who reminded the graduating class that they had been at the school longer than he had, spoke about them as being the "true embodiment of scholarship and community."

He encouraged them to seek challenges, as they step out into life.

"If next year is easy," he said, "you're not doing it right."

Allison Londregan delivered the senior class message, and talked about how every member of the graduating class had made an impacet on her.

"All of you have added a little something to my life," she said, and made memories that will stay with her forever.

Orator Frankie Ann Marcille talked about how the teachers at St. Bernard had prepared the graduating lass for the challenges to come. She spoke - as did all the speakers in the ceremony - about St. Bernard being more than a school, "much more than an athletic, spiritual and academic" place.

For her, she said, St. Bernard is "family," adding, "The greatest moments of my life have happened here."


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