Malvern Preparatory School celebrated its 87th commencement today at Wolfington Plaza on the Chapel lawn. On this refreshingly cool day, the Malvern community paid tribute to the 121 seniors of the Class of 2013, who were lauded for their accomplishments, as well as their overwhelming commitment to brotherhood. In addition, yesterday evening, Malvern eighth graders celebrated their advancement to ninth grade.
That bond between classmates was exemplified by a very special reunion at today’s ceremony. Graduating senior Adams Daramy, who fled war-torn Sierra Leone at the age of 6, was reunited with his mother, Grace Sankoh, after a 12-year separation. Malvern Prep has been working for months to help make this reunion happen. Malvern seniors rallied to raise more than $4,000 to help purchase Ms. Sankoh’s plane ticket, and on June 4, the School, with the help of U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan’s office, secured Ms. Sankoh’s visitation visa. Today, not only did Ms. Sankoh see her son graduate from high school, she gave him his diploma. Daramy is Malvern’s Student Council President, and he gave the introductory remarks prior to today’s exercises.
Malvern Prep is guided by the Augustinian values of Veritas, Unitas and Caritas, or Truth, Unity and Love. The ideal of unity, or more specifically, brotherhood marked the commencement speeches this year.
Class Speaker Luke Tecce noted how Malvern’s Christian Service program not only shaped them as men, but helped, along with programs like the M.E.C.O. senior retreat, taught them how to be brothers. “Malvern helped us grow from boys to men, and from friends to brothers,” he said. Recalling their Christian Service experiences and the words of Malvern President the Rev. James Flynn, O.S.A. to be active leaders in their communities. “We are not so much leaving Malvern, as we are being set forth from Malvern,” Tecce said.
In the Commencement Address, J. Michael Riordan, a 1973 Malvern graduate, Trustee and partner with McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP, echoed that theme of unity, linking the values learned at Malvern with success. “Brotherhood, faith, loyalty, looking out for the other guy … these values are the foundation for a successful life,” he said. Riordan also noted that the memory of what these seniors did for their classmate Adams Daramy will stay with them forever. Riordan also imparted to the class the importance of finding their own paths in life and finding their passions. “Imagination, commitment and execution, along with the foundational values that you have learned at Malvern, are the qualities that will lead to success,” he said.
Malvern’s commencement ceremony began with a Baccalaureate Liturgy, presided over by Fr. Flynn, and featured musical selections throughout by the Liturgical Music Group and Wind Ensemble. Following the Commencement Address, a number of Academic Excellence and Memorial Awards were presented, followed by remarks by Head of School Christian Talbot.
Talbot reminded the graduating seniors that their focus now needs to grow beyond Malvern and urged them to consider every man, woman and child also their brother and sister. “I challenge you to measure your success by what you have done for others,” he said.
After the conferring of diplomas by Fr. Flynn and Talbot, the formal ceremony ended with a final blessing by Fr. Flynn before the traditional cap toss around the statue of St. Augustine at the entrance to campus.
Senior Awards
Highest Grade Point Average for Senior Year: Dylan McParland
Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average for Four Years: Dylan McParland
Memorial Awards
The Thomas J. O’Brien ’67 Memorial Award: M.P. Salinas
(Given to a senior who excels in academics and athletics.)
The Father Duffy Memorial Award for Activities and Leadership: Martin Farrell
(Given to a senior who is an active leader in his class.)
The Grifferty Award: Denis Ostick
(Named for longtime teacher and Augustinian, presented to a senior who has performed beyond highest expectations through persistence and positive attitude.)
Christian Service Award
The Saint Augustine Christian Service Award: Paul Stockett
In addition, on Wednesday morning at the Senior/Parent Awards Breakfast, a special award and scholarship was given to P.J. Mullen – the Michael P. Finnegan ’81 Scholarship, given in memory of the man who dedicated his student years to the service of the school, and who later served as Malvern’s alumni director, theology teacher, and who continued to remain involved in campus ministry and the spiritual life of the school.
Eighth-Grade Advancement Held Wednesday Night
On Wednesday night, Malvern Prep honored the 56 students who advanced from the eighth to ninth grades. The ceremony also took place at Wolfington Plaza in front of Malvern’s Our Mother of Good Counsel Chapel.
The evening began with a Mass celebrated by Fr. Flynn, and included a number of award presentations.
Our Mother of Good Counsel Student Involvement: Alexander P. Reber
St. Augustine Award for Christian Leadership:
Matthew T. Boles and William J. Coyle III
Good Citizenship Award:
James M. Dugan, Turner J. Emery, Erik E. Kolar and Adam C. Yablonski
President’s Award (ambassador for Malvern Prep):
Zachary L. DeStefano and Thomas J. Wolters
Scholar/Athlete Award: Andrew P. Aprahamian
Highest GPA: Zachary L. DeStefano
Virgulti Science Award: Zachary L. DeStefano
