'Brotherhood' used to describe Hendricken Class of 2017

By Isabella Zainyeh
Posted 6/15/17

By ISABELLA ZAINYEH Despite an otherwise rainy day, the sun came out for the graduation ceremony of Bishop Hendricken's Class of 2017, held at the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul last Wednesday. In his speech, Principal Jay Brennan began by reiterating

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'Brotherhood' used to describe Hendricken Class of 2017

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Despite an otherwise rainy day, the sun came out for the graduation ceremony of Bishop Hendricken’s Class of 2017, held at the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul last Wednesday.

In his speech, Principal Jay Brennan began by reiterating Jesus’ question to two of his followers, “What are you looking for?” Throughout their time at Hendricken, the graduates have fulfilled that question by aiming for such goals as being the star of a theater production, an all-state athlete, and so on. Now, as high school graduates, the Class of 2017 must consider once again the question, “What are you looking for?”

Brennan used the example of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, “The Great Stone Face,” to address this question. In the story, there is a rock formation in the shape of a man’s face accompanied by a legend saying that a child born in the valley whose face looked like that of the stone, would one day become the greatest and noblest personage of his time. A kind boy named Ernest spent his entire life looking for this person. It was only at the end of his life, that a visitor came to the village and realized that Ernest had the Great Stone Face.

Brennan challenged the graduates to be like Ernest, to become what they are looking for by setting “high and noble goals” for themselves.

Almost a week after graduation, Brennan emphasized still the “brotherhood” that is Bishop Hendricken, and especially the Class of 2017. He highlighted an example of this, by telling the story of the support and strength fellow classmates gave to a fellow student whose father passed away in the middle of the school year.

Valedictorian, Giancarlo Gentili, and Salutatorian, Derek Byrne gave speeches similar in the theme of togetherness and fortitude.

Byrne, who offered the greetings, stated, “True freedom lies in the ability to attain a sort of devotion to one’s purpose in life,” highlighting the selfless devotion Hendricken has shown towards himself and other students, and the devotion his fellow students have shown to tackling challenges in their own lives.

Gentili began his speech with a quote from Isaac Newton stating, “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants,” adding that if it were not for his fellow classmates, he, along with the rest of the Class of 2017 would not have achieved all that they did.

His address centered on the prayer; “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Gentili went on to tell how his fellow classmates have shown and experienced the virtues in the prayer: serenity, courage, wisdom, and ultimately, growth. He explains how his time at Hendricken has laid the foundation for he and his classmates to live out these virtues, making them stronger, braver, smarter, wiser, and overall better people. Gentili will be attending Boston College in the fall.

School President John Jackson began his Congratulations speech by declaring the Class of 2017 as having, “distinguished themselves as on of the very best our school has ever seen.”

He proclaimed how proud Bishop Thomas Hendricken would be of the Class of 2017, because of all that they have achieved academically and spiritually, as well as their continued devotion to standing in solidarity with the poor and marginalized.

Jackson added that Bishop Hendricken sends more young men to priesthood than any other diocese.

A total of 115 of the 193 in the graduating class received scholarship offers totaling almost 5 million dollars in the first year. Some of the largest scholarships, between $20,000 and $30,000 were from Assumption College, UMASS Lowell, Tulane University, Stonehill College, University of Alabama, Villanova University, Hofstra University, and many more.

The following Warwick students are members of the 2017 Hendricken class:  

Anthony M. Berling, Nicholas M. Bergling, Desmond E. Bernal, Owen L. Bernard, Nicholas Bianco, Christian W. Bica, Ryan Brady, Peter B. Cavanagh, Frederick Choi, Patrick M. Creamer, Ethan Famiano, Sean M. Fleury, Jared M. Forrest, Ian French, Lucas M. Gesmundo, Aidan B. Gleason, Robert J. Hagerty, William Hindinger, Shaojie (Billy) Huang, Nicholas S. Jones, Ethan J. Lyons, Christopher L. Manning, Christopher D. Marino, Dylan T. McSparren, Christian F. Melucci, Isaiah Mylers, Cameron C. Naylor, Sean W. Noonan, Kyle E. Nygren, David S. Palumbo, Luke O. Pearson, Sean K. Praski, William J. Roberge, Matthew G. Rowlands, Jospeh V. Santos, Brandon M. Selvidio, Michael D. Shaw, Corey J. Sheehan, Kevin Teran, Matthew M. Tolbert, Josheph Tucker, Evan M. Wildenhain, Benjamin C. Wilson and Anthony Witherstone.

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  • Justanidiot

    Running around in a bunch of green dresses, looks like sisterhood to me.

    Wednesday, June 21, 2017 Report this