Celebrating The Class of 2025 |
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On Saturday, June 7, Saint Patrick Catholic School welcomed the Class of 2025, their families, and friends on campus for our graduation ceremony in the school’s beautiful gymnasium. We were so excited to celebrate this Eighth Grade class as a Wolfhound community! |
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As is tradition at Saint Patrick, Tidewater Pipes and Drums opened the ceremony. Head of School Lauren Mazzari welcomed our Eighth Grade graduates and their families, our Board of Directors, alumni, and principal emeritus, Steve Hammond. In her remarks, she noted how special this class was and how close the students had grown over the last year. Mrs. Mazzari spent the school year getting to know each member of the Eighth Grade by serving as a chaperone on both the class' overnight retreats to the Eastern Shore and Washington D.C. and joining the Celtic Council on their annual trip to Busch Gardens. She spoke to what made each student special and how their unique gifts and talents made the Class of 2025 an exceptional group of Wolfhounds.
Mrs. Mazzari then introduced the keynote speaker, alumna Virginia Chandler (Class of 2016). Virginia is a proud Wolfhound and a graduate of both Norfolk Academy and Virginia Tech. She graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development and Psychology and is currently pursuing a masters degree in Early Childhood Development at Teachers College, Columbia University, in New York City. This fall, she will be joining the Horace Mann School community as an Associate Teacher.
Virginia shared how she has drawn on Choice Theory and the teachings of Dr. William Glasser to navigate life's inevitable ups and downs and how Saint Patrick taught her to welcome constructive feedback as she begins her teaching career. Her desire to continue to grow both personally and professionally stems from a founding Wolfhound belief that "quality always improves." She wished the Class of 2025 the best and assured them they had the skills they needed to succeed in high school and beyond.
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Celtic Council President and Eighth Grade student John-John W. then took the stage and delivered moving remarks as compared himself - and his fellow classmates -to a Jedi Masters. He compared "The Force" in Star Wars to his strong belief in God and that faith has been and will continue to be a guiding light for the Class of 2025.
Following the speeches, the Eighth Grade sang “I'll Always Remember You” by Hannah Montana before Director of Studies Dr. Jan White called the students up individually to the stage to receive their diploma from Head of School Mrs. Mazzari and President of the Board Dr. Pamela McKinney. The students also received a special memento and a yellow rose as they stepped off the stage. Class of 2022 Alumna McKinley Heidelberg-Denison sang a beautiful rendition of the traditional Irish Blessing before the Class of 2025 sang - for the first time EVER - Saint Patrick Catholic School's new Alma Mater. Composed by our very own Music Director Chris Kypros, the school's Alma Mater beautifully captures the mission, culture, and heart of Saint Patrick. To close out the 2025 ceremony, the students recessed to "Celebration” by Kool & The Gang. We wish them all the best and hope they will visit often.
Once a Wolfhound, always a Wolfhound! |
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Here is where the Class of 2025 is headed next year: Bishop O'Connell High School Lily M. Booker T. Washington High School Zully M.
Cape Henry Collegiate John-John W. Catholic High School Charlotte A.
Simon B. Finn H. Genesis J. Kenley M. Marco P. Caden U.
Maelea W. Entrepreneurship & Business Academy - Kempsville High School Solana O. Granby High School Emerie K. Health Sciences Academy - Bayside High School Scarlett P.
Health & Science Academy - Deep Creek High School Genesis J. International Baccalaureate Program at Granby High School Tomas G. Elizabeth M.
Alex N. Kingsway Regional High School Maxim D. Maury High School Jackson A. Maddie R. Vy V. Maury High School, Governor's School of the Arts Anne H. Medical & Health Specialties Program at Maury High School Quinn M. Alex M. Lucy R. Penny S. Amelia S. Henry T. Norfolk Christian School Quinn M. Norfolk Collegiate School Andrew D. Tallwood High School, Governor's School of the Arts Clare P. |
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With the final Station of the Cross dedicated in 2021 and the Class of 2024 completing the "trinity" of statues erected at the front of the school, this year's class started a new tradition with their legacy gift. Inspired by the Ryan Resilience Lab on Colley Avenue, the Class of 2025 unveiled a beautiful steel panel designed by Fine Arts Chair and Art Teacher Jacki Voorhies that represents the Life of Relationship. Choosing the Life of Relationship - one of six Life Ofs - the Class of 2025 thought this best represented their class. Head of School Lauren Mazzari opened the ceremony with a prayer before inviting Founding Board Member Chuck McPhillips to say a few words.
Mr. McPhillips addressed the Class of 2025 and invited them to hold hands and form a circle. He then asked them to look at each other and visually acknowledge a classmate that "was in a play with you", "worked on a science or history project with you", "enjoys the same music", "someone who helped you out when you were struggling", etc. This was a truly touching moment as students had this moment to reflect on how close they had become and that they would always be connected by their shared legacy as Wolfhound graduates. He also congratulated the students for raising $3,585 at this year's Servant Leadership Dinner - the largest sum of any class thus far - which is now in a fund that provides financial assistance for future Wolfhounds. Once Mr. McPhillips concluded his remarks, he read each student’s name as they laid a named brick below the panel.
As Saint Patrick Catholic School continues to thrive and new traditions become part of our shared culture, the panel representing the Life of Relationship will stand as a beautiful tribute to the Class of 2025. |
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Eighth Grade Baccalaureate Mass |
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The annual Baccalaureate Mass was held on Wednesday, June 4, at The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception. It was wonderful to celebrate Mass with the Eighth Grade and their families at such a transformative time in these students’ lives. We appreciate Father Jim Curran and his entire parish for hosting this special event for the Class of 2025.
Eighth Grade student Emerie K. welcomed those in attendance before the whole congregation sang the Processional Hymn, "Blessed Be Your Name." Maxim D. read the First Reading, Acts 14:21-27 and was followed by Tomas G. who read the Second Reading Colossians 3:12-17. During his Homily, Father Curran reminded the Class of 2025 and everyone in attendance that we all face challenges in our lives, but they are fleeting and through our face in God, "we are eternal." Ann H. then read the Universal Prayers and the Liturgy of the Eucharist began.
After the celebration of the Eucharist, Quinn M. thanked the Wolfhound faculty, staff, and parents for their love and unwavering support. Vy V.. then introduced the President of the Board of Directors, Dr. Pamela McKinney. Dr. McKinney shared words of wisdom with the Eighth Grade class and wished them well as they entered the next chapter in their lives. Father Jim Curran closed the celebration with a special prayer for the Class of 2025. This special Mass gave our Eighth Grade families time to reflect and give thanks as this special class prepared to graduate and move on to high school. |
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To mark the end of the 2024-2025 school year, our Saint Patrick Catholic School community came together on Friday, June 6, for our annual Moving Up ceremony. To allow for a more intimate setting the school held two consecutive ceremonies that morning. Kindergarten-Third Grade attended the first event, with Fourth Grade-Eighth Grade “moving up” one hour later. The Moving Up Ceremony is not just focused on the physical act of moving up, but offers teachers a chance to reflect on the past year and gives students the opportunity to intellectually and emotionally join their new grade level as they enter into their summer break. Life Of Award recognitions are also an integral part of this special celebration. Each year, students from Lower School and students from Middle School are recognized in each of the Life Ofs - the Life of Mind, Life of Relationship, Life of Spirit, Life of Vocation, and the Life of Character and Courage, and the Life of Health and Wellness.
These award recipients serve as representatives for all of our young Wolfhounds and exemplify what our students have accomplished in these five areas of growth. Each child’s commitment to their own Total Formation is foundational to the mission of Saint Patrick Catholic School.
Life of Mind Lower School: Piper K., First Grade and Owen L., Fourth Grade
Middle School: Max G., Fifth Grade and Elizabeth M., Eighth Grade |
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Life of Relationship Lower School: Liam B., Second Grade and Louisa M., Fourth Grade and Middle School: Alex N., Eighth Grade and Maelea W., Eighth Grade |
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Life of Spirit Lower School: Peter G., Fourth Grade and Bridget H., Fourth Grade Middle School: Drew B., Sixth Grade and Myra B., Sixth Grade |
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Life of Vocation Lower School: Sloane P., First Grade and Grayson P., Third Grade Middle School: Brooklyn B., Fifth Grade and John-John W., Eighth Grade |
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Life of Character and Courage Lower School: Vivi H., First Grade and Wyatt H., Third Grade Middle School: Maxim D., Eighth Grade and Valentina M.-C., Fifth Grade |
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Life of Health and Wellness Lower School: Baily B., Fourth Grade and Ben K., Fourth Grade Middle School: Luke H., Seventh Grade, and Karsen S., Seventh Grade |
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The Moving Up Ceremony is a powerful exercise and remains an important rite of passage for all Wolfhound students. The event also provided us an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the graduating Class of 2025. Upon their graduation, the following day, these Eighth Grade students moved on to high school and joined past graduates as Wolfhound alumni. While their journey may take them far from this campus, the Class of 2025 will always have a home at Saint Patrick. Once a Wolfhound, Always a Wolfhound!
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As we close out the 2024-2025 school year, the Advancement Team would like to thank all of our Wolfhound parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends who have supported Saint Patrick Catholic School through donations to the Annual Fund. If you have not had the opportunity to give, however, we hope that you will consider a contribution before the end of our fiscal year on June 30. By investing in our mission of teaching the whole child - mind, body, and spirit - you are providing all Wolfhound students the opportunity to experience a dynamic education in a safe and joy-filled environment!
Whether you are a first-time donor or have been a loyal supporter of Saint Patrick, we hope you will CLICK HERE and make a gift to the Returning Thanks Annual Fund. Every donation - no matter the amount - has an impact and your participation matters to our Wolfhound community. Please give today!
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