Graduation Roundup

Graduation Round-up

by Julia T. Fuhrman

The Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer, Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg conferred diplomas to 87 graduates, now alumni, of Delone Catholic High School Friday, May 20, in the Lawrence B. “Sonny” Sheppard, Jr. Memorial Gymnasium.

Class of 2022 Salutatorian Giovanna F. Jiang, greeted the assembly before thanking her classmates for the many ways they have provided aid and emotional support to one another in the face of all of the challenges of high school.

Giovanna is the daughter of Han and Grace Jiang of Hanover. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, and Mu Alpha Theta. She has participated in Girls’ Varsity Tennis, Pit Orchestra, Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Art Club. Giovanna has received and accepted the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., and plans on majoring in economics and philosophy with a minor in studio art.

Then, Principal William J. Lippe continued a school tradition of recognizing members of the 50th anniversary Class of 1972 whose grandchildren were among the graduates. Mr. Michael Sanders is the grandfather of senior William Seymore. Mrs. Mary (McIntyre) Sherdel is the grandmother of senior Jacob Sherdel. Mr. Richard Staub is the grandfather of senior Elijah Staub. Mr. Lippe continued by addressing the uniqueness of the Class of 2022 in the school’s history and in the context of world events. “My dear seniors, thank you for developing and sharing your unique gifts with us these past four years; over the past four years, with you, we have all grown increasingly ‘unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.’

“You are a historic class. Having begun your high school careers in the complacency of the pre-pandemic days of 2018 and 2019, you found yourselves two years ago learning under unprecedented conditions. You did this for more than a year and you succeeded, thereby revealing your character, and now emerge with the hope of better days ahead, seasoned, in my respects, beyond your years.”

Mr. Lippe also extended appreciation to all those who helped support the class, including their families, the Catholic parishes of the Adams Deanery, the Delone Catholic Board of Directors, and the faculty and staff. He especially recognized those members of the staff who are retiring at the end of the school year, Mrs. Judith DiPuppo, Mr. John Hendrick, and Ms. Theresa (Murren) Glass ’60.

Bishop Gainer spoke to the graduates next, reminding them that each one of them is a unique individual created in the image and likeness of God. He encouraged each of them to continually seek out the “Why?” of their lives – the purpose for which God created each individual with their personal gifts and blessings.

LeAnna Madison Baker, Valedictorian of the Class of 2022, then addressed her classmates, urging them to “live fearlessly” by facing their doubts and persevering through adversity to pursue their passions.

LeAnna is the daughter of Derek and Tammy Baker of East Berlin. LeAnna has held many leadership roles during her high school career, including Executive Student Council Vice-President, National Honor Society President, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica Co-Vice President, Mu Alpha Theta Secretary, and Interact Club Community Outreach Coordinator. She was also a member of the National English Honor Society, the Respect Life Club, Kairos Core Team, and a Varsity Cheerleader. LeAnna has been accepted to Washington and Lee University, University of Richmond, Bucknell University, Furman University, Salve Regina University, Seton Hall University, Catholic University of America, Immaculata University, Randolph College, Chatham University, Allegheny College, and Baylor University. She plans on attending Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., to double major in political science and biology.

A Senior Awards Ceremony was held on the morning of Thursday, May 19, also in the Sheppard Gym, with several guests on hand to present scholarships and awards. In total, the Class of 2022 has been offered $11,487,692.68 in scholarships. Nearly two-thirds of the class earned some scholarship funds.

Members of the Class of 2022 and their families then gathered for a Baccalaureate Mass on Thursday evening, May 19 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hanover, Pa., with Mr. Daniel Breen, Superintendent of Catholic Schools and Secretary for Education at Diocese of Harrisburg, in attendance.

Following the Baccalaureate, the school treated graduates and their guests with the Dairy Dan ice cream truck and Revonah soft pretzels to show their appreciation for the love and support provided to the students over their high school careers.

The Class of 2022

• 63% were offered scholarships totaling $11,487,692.68.

• 83.9% graduated with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. • 44% took one or more Advanced Placement® courses.

• 13% completed an internship or vocational training during high school.

• 48% were inducted into at least one academic honor society.

• 91% will attend post-secondary education. 1% will serve in the military. 8% will move on to the workforce.

• 11% of the Class of 2022 will attend one of Delone Catholic’s 21 partner colleges and universities, having earned guaranteed admission and a merit scholarship.

• The Class of 2022 reported 14,113.25 hours of service to school, church, and community.

• The many athletic achievements of the Class of 2022 include a state championship, several District 3 titles, and YAIAA division championships.