McAuley Celebrates Class of 2018 Graduates

CHICAGO, IL -- Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School had a lot to celebrate at the school’s 62nd commencement ceremony. Wearing their traditional floor-length white dresses and carrying red roses, McAuley’s Class of 2018 and their families gathered on May 20 at the Shannon Center at Saint Xavier University. The ceremony was especially noteworthy when it was announced that all 232 graduates were accepted at colleges and universities around the country.

The Class of 2018 boasted a National Merit Scholarship Award winner Catherine Rogers, two National Merit Commended Scholars Hayley Gutrich and Grace Trippiedi, two Chick Evans Scholarship winners Tara O’Malley and Hayley Stepak, three A. Franklin Pilchard scholars Alana Cox, Cecelia Crane and Maura Gribble, 15 college athletic commitments and 34 Illinois State Scholars. In total, the Class of 2018 graduates garnered more than $41 million in merit-based scholarships.

Catherine Rogers, of Beverly, was named class valedictorian. Rogers completed her senior year with a cumulative GPA of 4.49. Among Rogers many accomplishments was racking up a perfect score of 36 on her ACT. Earlier this month, she was name a National Merit Scholarship winner and is also an Illinois State Scholar. Rogers is moving on to the University of Illinois, where she plans to study engineering. In her valedictorian address, Rogers reflected on the paths and success that have prepared them for life beyond McAuley.

“Our job now is to take what we’ve learned and use this to better the world, in whatever way we can,” Rogers said. “It may be as simple as always remembering that people want to be good and do good, or as huge as discovering a cure for a deadly disease. The ripple effect of doing small things is extraordinary, and can lead us to the realization of something much bigger. So focus on doing good, and who knows, one day it may become something more. Continue learning about yourself, about the world, and about your passions. We have been prepared to succeed as we shape our own future. Because of our dedication and passion, McAuley girls will not only achieve; we will dominate.”

Another Beverly student, Maryrose Sheridan, was elected by her classmates as student speaker. Maryrose served as a Kairos leader, advisory board leader, Student Council Spirit Ambassador, varsity club leader, National Honor Society member and peer minister. She also wore the “M” costume at school athletic games this past year. In her remarks to her classmates, Maryrose likened their McAuley experience to that of an adventurous road trip.

“Despite not knowing what direction our roads are taking us after today, I know we will get where we need to be. Take a second to look in your rear view mirror and recall where you were freshman year when you drove down 99th street on that first day. But make sure you look forward. Do not fear the bumps in the road ahead because you’ll be that much closer to your destination. Just as the roads we will choose will take us farther away from where we are now, those same roads will always lead us back to McAuley. This school has prepared us to handle the traffic, and the sharp turns and that’s what we must never forget.”

With a G.P.A. of 4.47, senior Grace Trippiedi, of Orland Park, was named salutatorian for the Class of 2018. Trippiedi was named a National Merit Commended Scholar and an Illinois State Scholar. She will attend Miami University of Ohio in the fall, where she plans to major in engineering.

Trippiedi introduced this year’s alumnae speaker, Dr. Colleen Fitzgerald ‘88, who is the medical director of clinical research at Loyola University Medical Center. Fitzgerald offered some sage advice -- in Latin -- for the fresh-faced graduates.

“’Labore improbus omnia vincit.’ For those of you who study Latin you know that means ‘hard work conquers all,’ said Dr. Fitzgerald. “Any person who has achieved success in life will tell you that the key is an unwavering perseverance in the pursuit of your goal. You need to dream big. Practicality in life is important, but never settle below your aspirations because someone told you ‘it’ll take too long’ or ‘that’s not practical’ or ‘are you sure you want to do that?’ Do not get to a point in your life where you are giving up your dreams in order to please someone else. Reach for what you want, and never stop chasing it until you get there.”

McAuley’s dean of upperclasswomen, Meg Griffin Gardner ’99, was selected as the faculty speaker. The commencement ceremony concluded with senior members of the McAuley Advanced Chorus singing, “Home” in tribute to their class, followed by the Suscipe, the school tribute to a written work of Catherine McAuley.