By Ana Rodriguez Soto - Florida Catholic newspaper
MIAMI | They were nearing the end of their
sophomore year when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down in-person classes. They
returned a few months later wearing masks and eating lunch behind plexiglass
shields to remain socially distant.
Although school life slowly returned to normal
their junior year, with in-person classes, more sports and social events, only
near the end of their senior year – March 2022 – were members of the class of
2022 able to shed their masks completely, whether they were vaccinated or not.
With the pandemic now endemic, their graduation
ceremonies once again showcased their full-blown smiles, their infectious joy
and the unabashed pride of their parents and family members – no holds barred.
As they say, we live in interesting times, and the
class of 2022 has experienced those times a little younger than most. But that
has not diminished their achievements or determination.
In fact, as evidenced by their 7 Silver Knight
awards and 16 honorable mentions, many turned the pandemic into an opportunity
to help their fellow men and women, especially the elderly isolated in nursing
homes and pediatric patients in hospitals.
May the class of 2022 continue to serve as a light
for others in dark times. God speed, graduates!
See the class of 2022: by the numbers
ARCHBISHOP COLEMAN CARROLL
Photographer: COURTESY
Katherine Perez-Martinez, valedictorian, Archbishop Carroll High School
Photographer: COURTESY
Jason Martinez, salutatorian, Archbishop Carroll High School
ARCHBISHOP EDWARD MCCARTHY
Photographer: COURTESY
Mia Escudero, valedictorian, Archbishop McCarthy High School
Photographer: COURTESY
Alejandra Alzamora, salutatorian, Archbishop McCarthy High School
BELEN JESUIT
Photographer: COURTESY
Kevin Schaeppi Souza, valedictorian, Belen Jesuit Prep
Photographer: COURTESY
Gabriel Suarez, salutatorian, Belen Jesuit Prep
CARDINAL GIBBONS
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Sofia Cabanillas, valedictorian, Cardinal Gibbons
Photographer: COURTESY
Kelly Van Sciver, salutatorian, Cardinal Gibbons
CARROLLTON
Photographer: COURTESY
Victoria Trap, valedictorian, Carrollton
Photographer: COURTESY
Emma Beharry, salutatorian, Carrollton
CHAMINADE-MADONNA
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Divya Chaudhari, valedictorian, Chaminade-Madonna
Photographer: COURTESY
Marc Liger, salutatorian, Chaminade-Madonna
COLUMBUS
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Juan Pablo Garcia-Casals, valedictorian, Christopher Columbus High School
Photographer: COURTESY
Jan Andretta, salutatorian, Christopher Columbus High School
IMMACULATA-LA SALLE
Photographer: COURTESY
Justin Callahan, valedictorian, Immaculata-La Salle High School
Photographer: COURTESY
Isabella Andrade, salutatorian, Immaculata-La Salle High School
MSGR. EDWARD PACE
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Isabella Esquivel, valedictorian, Msgr. Pace High School
Photographer: COURTESY
Gabriela Cespedes, salutatorian, Msgr. Pace High School
OUR LADY OF LOURDES
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Christina Silva, valedictorian, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy
Photographer: COURTESY
Ane Guerrero, salutatorian, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy
ST. BRENDAN
Photographer: COURTESY
Paola Montejo, valedictorian, St. Brendan High School
Photographer: COURTESY
Brianna Page, salutatorian, St. Brendan High School
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
Photographer: COURTESY
Kamryn L.L. DuQuesnay, valedictorian, St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Photographer: COURTESY
Olivia R. Christie, salutatorian, St. Thomas Aquinas High School