Amid the cheers of their friends and families, the 39 graduates of the Saint Thomas More Preparatory School received their diplomas May 22.
The ceremony was marked by the traditional speeches and accolades, but also reflected the religious nature of the school with the attendance of the Rev. W. Francis Malooly, bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington.
Malooly said he had gotten to know many of the students during his first year as bishop. Many attended his installation following the death of his predecessor, Bishop Michael Saltarelli, and many had taken part various programs throughout the diocese. He also had confirmed a number of the graduates, he said.
“This class has a great spirit,” Malooly said. “They take their faith very seriously. “And they all were very welcoming,” he added. “At that age, they’re sometimes kind of shy, but they’d always come up to me.”
Malooly’s popularity with the students was noted during his introduction, when he was called “the most fabulous bishop in the world.”
"There’s nothing like having a fan club,” Malooly joked.
The bishop turned serious, however, reminding students to “build on what you have learned and what you have become.
“Stay close to the Lord and develop your gifts,” he said. “Be happy, be bold and believe in yourselves.”
Principal David McKenzie asked class members not to forget the school and what they learned there as they embark on their life’s journey.
“I ask you to return and to share your adventures with us, and as the parents of this class know, there will be many adventures to discuss.”
Graduates of the Class of 2010
Angela Patrice Ains
Emily Kathleen Bonney
Erica Marie Bydlon *
Alexis Brittany Carver
Cameron Marlin Caudill
Joseph Edward Chambers
Ryan Patrick Coll * +
Corinne Alexis Crispin
Emily Lin Darling * +
Lauren Elizabeth David
Kaitlin Mallory Doherty
Julia Ann Flood * +
Kyle Anthony Fowler
Christopher Charles Fullmer
Fallon Tierney Grandfield
Joseph Palmer Guest
Wilbert Thirkield Hayes III
Tyler Patrick Hudson *
Ashleigh Marie Humphries
Ann Elizabeth Kitzmiller * +
Kaitlin Dale LeBlanc * +
Reveena Mei Lexminarayana
Cayla Danielle McNulty
Kathryn Elizabeth Murphy *
Victoria Lynn Nelson * +
SaraAnne Nichole Penny *
Pedro Antonio Perez Pichardo
Samuel Jordan Philips
Alexandre Lee Polise * +
Abigail Rebecca Reed
Nicholas Ryan Rhodes
Mary Kate Riecks * +
Eric Matthew Spangler
Maria Therese Stant * +
Temy Joseph Swinford
Charles Amstead Viddy
Karen Michelle Wearden *
John Robert Whitford
Joseph Michael Zarraga * +
*National Honor Society
+ Outstanding Catholic High School Seniors
Email News Editor Jeff Brown at jeff.brown@doverpost.com.
