Class of 2016 Leaves its Mark on PHS

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Retired U.S. Navy Commander Donald Urquidez and Ryan Chow ‘16

The Class of 2016 Leaves Its Mark on PHS

On June 4, 2016, all 102 members of the Class of 2016 took their places onstage at the Hall of Liberty at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. After Sister Nancy Jurecki, OP, Chief Mission Integration Officer for Providence Health & Services California Region, delivered the benediction, Head of School Joe Sciuto introduced Commander Donald Urquidez, retired from the United States Navy, who presented Ryan Chow ‘16 with an accommodation. Each year, the U.S. Naval Academy receives approximately 18,000 applications. Only about 1,400 applicants are invited to attend the Naval Academy, and Ryan has the distinct honor of being in that group. Not surprisingly, this announcement was met with resounding applause and a standing ovation.

It is a tradition at Providence for members of the senior class to nominate and select a speaker for the graduation ceremony. This year, Shea Sahm ‘16 was selected by his peers, which was an honor not lost on him. Shea challenged his classmates to “set yourself up with people who are hungry and want success as bad[ly] as you do. Remember that birds of a feather will flock together. Strive to be with people who will make you better.” One such student striving to be better and do good in the world, is Stephanie Figueroa ‘16, the recipient of the 2016 Archdiocese of Los Angeles Christian Service Award. Stephanie completed more than 500 service hours throughout her four years at PHS, many of which were completed at Four Seasons Healthcare and Wellness Center and Kaiser Permanente.

Ada-Nicole Sanger ‘16 was presented with the Mother Joseph Award, named in recognition of Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who was the founder of Providence schools and health care facilities in the western U.S. The award, voted on by the faculty and staff, is the highest honor presented by Providence High School to a graduating senior.

Salutatorian Grant Menke ‘16, who will attend UCLA this fall, was presented his medallion by Principal Allison DeFrancesco Castro ‘02 and Dean of Studies Kerry Martin, and his mother, Erica Menke, a member of Providence’s Board of Regents, had the honor of presenting Grant with his diploma.

Valedictorian Emily Velandia ‘16, who will attend Johns Hopkins

Class of 1959 valedictorian Carol Lex Tanner ‘59 and Class of 2016 valedictorian Emily Velandia ‘16

Timothy Viray ‘16, Samantha Shigematsu ‘16, Sophie Quach ‘16, Hope Trautman ‘16, and Christopher Hodges ‘16

Scott Keeshen ‘16, Elizabeth Nunneley ‘16, and Allegra Carrillo ‘16 Salutatorian Grant Menke ‘16, who was presented his diploma by his mother, PHS Board of Regents member Erica Menke

Brianna St. Denis ‘16, Talin Abramian ‘16, and Sarah Markey ‘16

Kieran McGroarty ‘16 and Andrew Harris ‘16

University and is the daughter of PHS alumna Julie Morris Velandia ‘85, was presented her medallion by Carol Lex Tanner ‘59, Providence High School’s first valedictorian. In a new Providence tradition, Emily, as the class valedictorian, had the opportunity to speak at the graduation.

“This class’s dedicated and competitive nature pushed me every day to be my best. Part of my drive to succeed came from my desire to prove that I was good enough to be part of this class,” Emily reflected. “To me, being valedictorian is about more than a GPA. It’s about being, to the best of my ability, a true representation of the most basic qualities of the Class of 2016: passion, dedication, and heart.”

Congratulations to the Class of 2016 on their achievements. The PHS community wishes them well and hopes they continue to live out Providence’s core values wherever life’s journey takes them.