St. Bernard's Class of 2011 Graduates (with Video)

Seventy-six St. Bernard School students became graduates Friday, as friends and family members, teachers and alumni watched, filling the soaring spaces of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Norwich with applause and prayer and good wishes.

Following the teachers, regal in their black gowns and mortarboards, the graduates entered, the girls wearing red, the boys wearing ivory, and every student wearing a look of joy mixed with something less easily identified.

After an invocation by Rev. Kevin Reilly, Principal Deborah Fitzgerald spoke to the Class of 2011, reminding them that wherever they go, “in all your choices, in all your adventures… remember that the hand of God is always there to guide you.”

“Wherever you go,” she said, “go with all your heart.”

Senior Class Orator JaJai Quinn spoke about what makes St. Bernard’s special. She mentioned that 98 percent of graduates go on to college. She mentioned the teachers who shaped the lives and goals of the class. She mentioned the volunteerism, and the lack of cliques, and how those qualities help make St. Bernard’s a special place.

“Another thing that distinguishes us,” Quinn said, “is our ability to express our faith.”

“Whenever I feel like the world is on my shoulders,” she said, “I go to the chapel.”

She thanked her parents “for all the times you have gone without, just so I could go to St. Bernard’s.

“I am proud to say that I am a St. Bernard’s graduate,” she said.

Rev. Michael R. Cote, the bishop of Norwich, conferred the diplomas. Each student shook the bishop’s hand, as camera flashes went off and the students’ smiles became more sure.

Near the end of the ceremony, the bishop addressed the audience. The students, he said, are in a time of life when they might ask what makes a successful life?What makes a good life?

"Never be afraid to ask those questions," the bishop said. "They really reflect the depths of your heart."

After telling the Bible story of a young man who asked such a question and was told by Jesus to "Come. Follow me," the bishop focused again on the graduates.

"You will be prepared to meak meaningful decisions," he said, "and live beautiful lives."

Mark Baillargeron, president of the class, delivered the senior class message.

Teachers and friends made high school unforgettable, he said, and marveled at how quickly the time had passed.

“I can remember our freshman orientation like it was yesterday,” he said.

The students put in their fare share of work over the years, he said, and that work can never be taken away.

“This is is!” he said. “We did it!”

The Class of 2011 is:

Erin Keegan Amarello

Asia V. Anderson

Scott William Aument Jr.

Mark Andrew Baillargeon

Kyle Royce Bean

Hannah Langworthy Benoit

Daniel Patrick Berry

Alexandra Jacqueline Bousquet

Robert Hall Burnside V

Nelson Jose Chalas

Kelsey Elizabeth Claspell

Ana Maria Cruz

Ryan Michael Doherty

Danielle Marie Edwards

Thomas Patrick Engel

Julia Anne Evola

Danielle Ann Franciosi

Hillary Elizabeth Gannon

Ryan David Gazlay

Wesley Joseph Gingerella

Jacqueline Alexa Giraldo

Emily A. Glavan

William Thomas Griffin III

Rubson Guimaraes

James Braxton Haig

Michael Paul Hanna

Sean Patrick Hanrahan

Clarissa Marie Hawk

Christina Frances Hoadley

Alsandy Nickson Jacot

Jillian Elizabeth Kelly

Greggory Anderson Kirkpatrick

Kristin Marie Langston

Clara Shorey Leuze

Daniel J. Maine

Jared Lucas Mangano

Ronald R. Mazurkiewicz Jr.

Alison Ann McGuckin

Timothy Philip Neilan

Ryan Hall Newsome

Charles Nowak

Zachary Norbert Mark O’Friel

Danielle Jeannette Olsen

Nikolaus Arthur Pellegrino

Sarah Elizabeth Louise Petersen

Zachary Philip Pierce

Nicholas Earle Pike

Maura Elizabeth Pitluck

Sarah Marie Plisinski

JaJai Elizabeth Quinn

Brett Robert Rankowitz

Mary Claire Reagan

Catharine Cummings Satti

Elizabeth Mary-Margaret Saunders

Anna Elizabeth Savitsky

John B. Schomaker

David Franciose Scott

Chelsea Marie Shirshac

Brandon Michael Smith

Brandon Steven St. Jean

Paul Joseph Steinhagen

James Patrick Stowe Jr.

Mario Joseph Strafaci

Emily Anne Szczygiel

Kelsey Beth Taylor

Ryan F. Terry

Michelle Dawn Thibeault

Toie Marie Tolbert

Matthew Edward Turban

Trevor Aron Turgeon

Robert R. Walsh

Casey Lee Yaworski

Angela R. Zmyslinski

Katelyn N. Zubritsky