The usual quiet morning at the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was punctuated with excitement, cheers, smiling faces, camera shutters, and the notes of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance No. 1 flowing from the pipes of the basilica’s organ. Cathedral High School’s class of 2018 proudly accepted their diplomas from school leadership in front of an enthusiastic and energetic crowd of hundreds on Saturday, May 18.
All 65 seniors earned their high school diploma and secured admission to college, making them the fifteenth consecutive graduating class at Cathedral to do so.
Valedictorian Jeremy Toshitaka Budrow addresses his fellow classmates
Valedictorian Jeremy Toshitaka Budrow, who started at Cathedral in the 7th grade, credited the school for creating opportunities for him in his valedictory speech. “This school has given me many opportunities that I couldn’t be more thankful for. I was able to travel to Québec with my French class… I was able to visit Tufts Medical Center to learn what being in the medical fields is like… I was able to participate in an internship at WilmerHale,” explained Budrow. He added that “without these opportunities and many more, my classmates and I wouldn’t have had…life changing experiences [at Cathedral].”
In continuing the theme of gratitude, Salutatorian Eliana Emari Jones made a point to credit Nancy Lane, director of guidance; Carmel Lynch, assistant principal; and Helenann Civian, principal for their outsized role in helping her class succeed. “Graduates, don’t forget to thank those who helped you along the way,” she said.
Salutatorian Eliana Emari Jones spoke about gratitude for the opportunities she and her classmates received
The commencement exercises were made even more special by the presence of alumni from the classes of 1953, 1958, 1963, and 1968 who were receiving Golden Diplomas, a tradition honoring alumni celebrating milestone anniversaries of their graduation from Cathedral High. In a moving gesture recognizing those who came before them, the entire graduating class gave a standing ovation to the Golden Diploma recipients.
The Vigor in Arduisaward, named for Cathedral High School’s motto meaning strength in the face of adversity in Latin, is Cathedral High School’s highest honor to a senior. Class valedictorian Jeremy Budrow also received this honor for distinguishing himself, not just in academics, but in all aspects of life and embodying gospel values.
The Cathedral High School Class of 2018 prepares to graduate at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Awards to other distinguished seniors included: the Spirit Award for enthusiasm and humanitarian action to Mohamed K. Sharari; the Covenant Award for valuing diversity and promoting harmony in the Cathedral community to Sarah Kay Richi; and the Service Award for routinely volunteering time and talent in the service of others to Jarrivel Marie Baez Colon.
As the students-become-alumni stepped out of the Basilica, they made a final celebratory toss of their mortarboards before embracing a crowd of ecstatic family members and friends.
The Cathedral High School Class of 2018:
- Ashley Daniele Adrien
- Adyonela Barbosa Alves
- Kaylese Jade Andrade
- Karlysha P. Augustin
- Jarrivel Marie Baez Colon
- Ashley Elizabeth Biddy
- Khalil Ray Blair
- Clara Bourcicot
- Jaylah Bowman
- Jessica Bowman
- Gomattie Buchan
- Yogeeta Devi Buchan
- Jeremy Toshitaka Budrow
- Dalvia Buissereth
- Skhashah Charles
- Treasure Renee Clegg
- Andrew Correa
- Marianna E. Correa
- Taliyah E. Countrymon
- Robert Louis DeRosa
- Fabiana D’Haiti
- Nate Christian Duncan
- Justin Leonard Espinosa
- Elizabeth Regine Etienne
- Gladys Michel Flores
- Megan Florestal
- Tamari Garcia
- Erik Grullon
- David Guerrero
- Anell Cristal Guzman Hidalgo
- Dillon Handricken-Barros
- Khamal C. Scott-Headen
- Talia Hernandez
- Abdiel Herrera Jr.
- Tiffany Leanna Houlder
- William Jean-Baptiste
- Eliana Emari Jones
- Syndy Joseph
- Wendy Noemi Lebron Sanchez
- Antonio Roman Lee
- Jaidah M. Lindsey
- Daniel Lopez-Giraldo
- Rosemary Louro
- Chris N. Michel
- Diamond Bryanna Minier
- Oscar Monterrey Jr.
- Essynce Daija Morales
- Rebecca Berlancia Myrtil
- Sheina Lynette Nevarez
- Gloria Pereyra
- Brendan Prescod
- Sarah Kay Richi
- Reyonta Larelle Ryland-Gray
- Richard Scott
- Mohamed K. Sharari
- Ayahna Unique Simpson
- Brandon T. Singletary
- Gabriela Awilda Terrones
- Alexis Keiara Thomas
- Tommy Tieu
- Wayne Vidal
- Kamryn Alivia Welch
- Daryl-Randall Williams
- Toni A. Smith-Woods
- Juan Pablo Zuluaga
