Mother Seton Regional High School Celebrates 49th Commencement

Mother Seton Regional Celebrates Forty-Ninth Commencement Ceremony

Mother Seton Regional High School, Clark, New Jersey held Commencement exercises on May 28, 2015. Diplomas were presented by members of the administrative team: Sister Jacquelyn Balasia, Joan Barron and Maureen Connell. The class of 2015 has achieved in excess of 18 million dollars in academic scholarships and awards as of May 28, 2015. Maureen Connell delivered the invocation and Sister Jacquelyn announced the academic scholarship awards. Reverend Kevin Murphy, a member of the social studies department at Mother Seton gave the closing benediction.

In her congratulatory remarks, Joan Barron stated: “Commencement - a time when something begins. It signals to the world that you are ready to tackle the next challenge, whatever that challenge might be. Graduates, embrace the education that you received here at Mother Seton. Use your leadership wisely. Take with you your pursuit of academic excellence and of course, your Seton Spirit. You made history here as students, friends, team mates and club members. Continue to serve others. By serving others, you are ultimately serving God. Congratulations Class of 2015!”

The Administrator’s Award for academic excellence during the past four years was awarded to Valedictorian, Imrin Goraya and Salutatioian, Emily Wieszczek. The Saint Elizabeth Anne Seton Award for exemplary witness to Christian values during the past four years was awarded to Sarah Dedinsky.

Imrin Goraya, Valedictorian, shared these thought with her classmates: “What I will truly take away from my years at MSR, aside from my extracurricular and service activities, is the excellent education and various opportunities to excel that I have received throughout the course of my high school career. Academic success is a very essential pillar of our Mission Statement. We have all had the opportunity to obtain a rich, extensive education with the variety of courses that are offered at MSR. You are all hard-working individuals who are capable of achieving success, and I would like to remind you to never let anything get in the way of achieving your goals. As Henry David Thoreau once said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” I hope that you all continue to live by this motto and never lose sight of what you’ve worked so hard for up to this point.” Imrin will be attending Widener University as a Biology Pre-Med major, beginning her first year in an eight-year medical program affiliated with Temple University School of Medicine.

Salutatorian, Emily Wieszczek stated: “I would be remiss if I did not give credit and express my gratitude to the wonderful administration, teachers and staff who, for four years have contributed to each of our journeys by continually going beyond requirements and expectations. What do you want to do? It’s such a loaded question when you think about. I think I can speak for most of my fellow graduates when I say that I certainly don’t have everything figured out. Socrates said that “education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel,” and as we will soon see, our education does not simply end by being handed a diploma. Saint Catherine of Siena got it right when she said, “be who you are meant to be and you will set the world on fire.” We are each stewards of our own small flames, and throughout our lives we will meet countless others who will feed the flames of our knowledge and wisdom.” Emily will be attending Franciscan University to study nursing.

Amanda Moreira, Class President, invited the members of the class of 2015 to join her in turning their tassels as a symbol of their graduation from Mother Seton Regional High School. Amanda will be attending Seton Hall University majoring in chemical engineering.

Departmental Awards for academic excellence are awarded to the following:

Art: Alyssa Ziobro

AP Biology: Carolyn Rodrigo

AP Calculus: Imrin Goraya, Bingheng Ji, Ang Li

AP Chemistry: Imrin Goraya, Bingheng Ji

AP English: Kaitlyn San Miguel

AP French: Lanscy Jean-Pierre, Megan Szabo

Health Education: Susan Kushner

Physical Education: Carolyn Rodrigo, Shannan McCarthy

Religious Studies: Kaitlyn San Miguel

AP Physics: Imrin Goraya

AP Social Studies: Carolina Guerreiro

AP Spanish: Imrin Goraya, Mariela Rodriguez

National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Students: Imrin Goraya, Carolyn Rodrigo, Kaitlyn San Miguel, Emily Wieszczek

National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar: Sofia Molina

Seton Distinguished Scholars: Amanda Braganza, Carolina Guerreiro, Sarah Dedinsky, Sofia Molina, Isabel Fourre, Carolyn Rodrigo, Tessa Fourre, Kaitlyn San Miguel, Sabrina Garcia, Bethany Sattur, Imrin Goraya, Melissa Skuriat, Emily Wieszczek

Scholar Athlete New Jersey State Interscholastic Association: Emily Wieszczek

Scholar Athlete Greater Middlesex Conference: Taylor Martinez

Article and photos by Joan Barron

Photo 1: Amanda Moreira, Senior Class President

Photo 2: Imrin Goraya, Valedictorian and Emily Wieszczek, Salutatorian

Photo 3: U.S. Flag: Alexandra Rego; Candle-Bearer: Brianna Perez; Cross: Sabrina Garcia; Candle-Bearer: Alexis Thomas-Evans; Lectionary: Sarah Dedinsky; Papal Flag: Diana Oliveira