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Stories of hope, faith and perseverance from class of 2021

Profiles of members of the class of 2021 from Catholic schools in Archdiocese of Washington, and Catholic graduates from local parishes, offer stories of hope, faith and perseverance after a year marked by the coronavirus pandemic.

In this series

Gonzaga commencement marks the school’s 200 years; graduates urged to follow namesake’s witness and example

Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. made note of the Jesuit institution’s 200th anniversary during its June 6 graduation ceremony, which also marked the return to...

Following her older sisters, Julia Carr will play lacrosse at Notre Dame after starring in that sport at Stone Ridge

Growing up, Julia Carr looked up to her older sisters Maddie and Mollie, who starred in lacrosse at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, Maryland, and then went on...

Graduating from Georgetown Prep fulfills a dream for senior and his late mother

When CJ Liang was accepted as a student at Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda three years ago, it was the fulfillment of a dream shared by him and his late mother...

Continuing her Catholic education, Holy Child senior going to Ave Maria

After attending a private elementary school, it was Macie Millard’s idea to move to a Catholic school for seventh grade. “I actually came to my parents and asked if I could go to...

Before senior year, Josie Baur already knew her path led to Naval Academy

Josie Baur discovered that if the typical activities of your senior year of high school are going to be canceled because of a global pandemic, it makes some of the normal...

Seton senior says ‘teachers and friends strengthened my faith’

Colin Horton, a 17-year-old graduating senior at Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Maryland, spent her four years as a member of her school’s varsity lacrosse team, and...

Avalon graduating senior known for love of his school and the outdoors

During the May 28 graduation ceremony for The Avalon School, each senior, prior to receiving his diploma, rose and stood next to the school’s headmaster Kevin Davern, as he...

Brookewood senior says that Catholic school prepared her well for college and life

As Agatha “Aggie” Baum prepared for her high school graduation from Brookewood School, she said she felt blessed and grateful to have had an almost-typical school year despite the...

While pandemic altered some school traditions, Visitation senior says faith helped her class endure

Blain Beyene, a senior at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, recently shared with her classmates a Lenten reflection, describing how the words of St....

After six years at St. Anselm’s Abbey School, Oscar Lloyd can’t wait to study philosophy some more

Oscar Lloyd’s six years attending St. Anselm’s Abbey School in Washington inspired what he calls “a passion” for studying philosophy when he attends Columbia University in the...

St. John’s senior will draw on experiences in teamwork, service and problem solving as he seeks medical career

Playing the cello in his school’s orchestra was a natural fit, literally, for David Oluigbo, the valedictorian for the class of 2021 at St. John’s College High School in...

Cristo Rey senior’s school and work study experiences, and her parents’ example, prepared her for college

As she prepared to graduate from Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School, Gissell Bringas-Martinez said her education there has “shaped my life in the most positive way.” “Entering high...

Senior says he found brotherhood and good role models at DeMatha

The staff and faculty at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, teach that faith, community, service, academics, arts and athletics are the six “pillars” upon...

Active at their parishes or in youth ministry, public school and homeschooled members of class of 2021 look to the future

Traditionally, the May edition of the Catholic Standard highlights a single graduating senior from each Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Washington. This year, we are...

Pandemic led Pallotti senior to ‘self-reflect and better herself’

When quarantine measures were adopted in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Anna Pham, a graduating senior at St. Vincent Pallotti High School in Laurel, Maryland,...

Her mother’s example has shaped the life and dreams of Archbishop Carroll senior

Jennifer Cuadra doesn’t have to look far for the hero in her life. The member of the class of 2021 at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C., said she is inspired by...

Becoming Archbishop Carroll’s valedictorian is more than an academic achievement for Taylor Crosland

Attaining the rank of valedictorian of the class of 2021 at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C., meant more than an academic achievement to Taylor Crosland. At the...

St. Mary’s Ryken senior calls her Catholic education ‘a gift given to me’

Julia Baddour, a graduating senior at St. Mary’s Ryken High School in Leonardtown, Maryland, knew from the time that she was in the second grade that a Catholic education was the...

After mother’s death, McNamara senior hopes to become psychologist and help others face challenges

With four siblings who preceded her at Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Maryland, Aliyah Thomas said there wasn’t really any decision to make about whether to go there...

Gonzaga senior says he experienced God through retreats and community of students there

Retreats actually meant going forward for Jack Doolin of the class of 2021 at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., as those times of spiritual reflection deepened his...

Sister with Down syndrome inspires Holy Cross valedictorian’s service, career goal

One aspect of the coronavirus shutdown that Katie Myers appreciated was the time together with her family. “We had a lot of family time in the house, going on walks. It made me...

Catholic University marks ‘unforgettable’ commencement in person at FedExField

After a year of social distancing, virtual meetings, and limited capacity events, The Catholic University of America’s class of 2021 was finally able to celebrate together en...