By Ana Rodriguez Soto - The Archdiocese of Miami
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
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Mia Escudero, valedictorian, Archbishop McCarthy High School
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Alejandra Alzamora, salutatorian, Archbishop McCarthy High School
BELEN JESUIT
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Kevin Schaeppi Souza, valedictorian, Belen Jesuit Prep
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Gabriel Suarez, salutatorian, Belen Jesuit Prep
CARDINAL GIBBONS
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Sofia Cabanillas, valedictorian, Cardinal Gibbons
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Kelly Van Sciver, salutatorian, Cardinal Gibbons
CARROLLTON
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Victoria Trap, valedictorian, Carrollton
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Emma Beharry, salutatorian, Carrollton
CHAMINADE-MADONNA
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Divya Chaudhari, valedictorian, Chaminade-Madonna
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Marc Liger, salutatorian, Chaminade-Madonna
COLUMBUS
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Juan Pablo Garcia-Casals, valedictorian, Christopher Columbus High School
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Jan Andretta, salutatorian, Christopher Columbus High School
IMMACULATA-LA SALLE
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Justin Callahan, valedictorian, Immaculata-La Salle High School
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Isabella Andrade, salutatorian, Immaculata-La Salle High School
MSGR. EDWARD PACE
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Isabella Esquivel, valedictorian, Msgr. Pace High School
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Gabriela Cespedes, salutatorian, Msgr. Pace High School
OUR LADY OF LOURDES
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Christina Silva, valedictorian, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy
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Ane Guerrero, salutatorian, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy
ST. BRENDAN
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Paola Montejo, valedictorian, St. Brendan High School
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Brianna Page, salutatorian, St. Brendan High School
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
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Kamryn L.L. DuQuesnay, valedictorian, St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Photographer: COURTESY
Olivia R. Christie, salutatorian, St. Thomas Aquinas High School
