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Charles Dean, James Davis, and Justin
Crispen convey the feelings of their classmates.
CLASS OF 2008:
OUR 12TH GRADUATION!
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Terrell Swartz proclaims the first
reading at the Graduation Mass.
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The Class of 2008 prayed together every
weekday morning of their Loyola stay. On Wednesday, June 4th,
they gathered in the Loyola Chapel with friends, faculty, and staff
to pray together one last time. Fr. Dave Mastrangelo, S.J.,
and Fr. Jim O’Reilly, S.J. celebrated the Mass, with
Tim Sullivan serving as Deacon, Sr. Judy Dutka, IHM,
serving as cantor, and the St. Peter Claver choir leading the congregation
in song.
Fr. Dave, as he’s known to do, roamed the aisles of the church
as he delivered the homily with voice and hands. He bid the graduates
to follow the example of Zacchaeus by welcoming Jesus into their
lives. At the end of Mass, the Class of 2008 recited together "The
Loyola Prayer" for the last time. This special prayer was introduced
by Deacon Wyatt Jones, Jr., when the school first opened its doors,
and it has been recited by the entire student body and faculty every
morning since.
The Mass was followed by what has become a tradition: a dinner reception
hosted by the juniors and their parents, complete with a bulldog
ice sculpture. The buffet was held in the social area, which had
been transformed into an elegant dining room.
Eleanor Josaitis imparts personal advice to the graduates. |
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Cameron Knox and Brandon Nichols join voices in a song after
communtion. |
The following evening, the same group (plus a quite a few more)
filled St. Peter Claver Catholic Church (formerly Precious Blood)
to share in the most joyous occasion of our 12th Graduation Ceremony.
James Davis ’08, chosen by students and staff as Salutatorian,
talked about how his total Loyola experience opened new worlds and
helped him to get to really know others and, more importantly, himself.
He noted he now has the confidence to move forward "where anything
is possible in a world of possibilities."
Dwayne Stafford ’08, Valedictorian, summed up the achievements
of the Class of ’08 in two words: sacrifice and perseverance.
He advised his fellow graduates to "take what you have learned
from the Loyola experience and apply it to your future . . . especially
the men for others motto, on which this school is based."
Sister Judy congratulates Andrew Trotter as Eleanor Josaitis
cheers him on. |
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Terrell Swartz, Deont’a Robinson, Justin Crispin, and
Sturleng Hall listen as the Prayers of the Faithful are offered. |
This year’s commencement speaker
was one of our own: Loyola Board member and co-founder of Focus:HOPE,
Eleanor Josaitis. Leaving the podium to talk to the young men
up close and personal, she stood directly in front of the graduates
and gave them advice based on her own experiences. Among her words
of wisdom were suggestions to "put your egos in your pockets
and continue to be men for others." There’s no way any
of the Class of 2008 can go wrong if they follow her final words
of advice: "Find your passion and wrap your job around it."
After the diplomas were exuberantly presented and received, Fr.
O’Reilly blessed the assembly with his unique closing prayer,
and the Class of 2008, now Loyola alumni, energetically processed
from the church to begin their new lives. Congratulations, Class
of 2008!
Senior Awards
Valedictorian: DeWayne Stafford
Salutatorian: James Davis
Jesuit Secondary Education Association: Jeremy Mitchell
Christian Service: Avery Murphy
Outstanding Athlete: Branden Harris
Spirit of Loyola: James Davis and Randell Nichols
Kevin R. Sullivan Memorial Book Award: Jeremy Mitchell
LWEP Student of the Year: James Trotter
Future Plans
Frank Blackmon: Grand Rapids Community
College
Jerome Bomer: Schoolcraft College
Montell Clay: Central State University
Justin Crispen: Saginaw Valley State University
James Davis: Wheeling Jesuit University
Charles Dean: Wayne State University
Allen Gaines: Wayne State University
Sturleng Hall: Michigan State University
Branden Harris: Olivet College
Domivan Jackson: Olivet College
Cameron Knox: South Carolina State University
Timothy Lamitier: College of Creative Studies
Jeremy Mitchell: Michigan State University
Lance Moore: Undecided
Avery Murphy: Central Michigan University
Brandon Nichols: Signed a music contract in New York City
Randell Nichols: Michigan State University
Charles Reed: Wayne State University
Deont’a Robinson: Wheeling Jesuit University
Kenneth Rupert: Wayne State University
DeWayne Stafford: Wayne State University
Gerald Strzalkowski: U. S. Marines
Terrell Swartz: Kentucky State University
Donovan Thomas: Wayne State University
James Trotte: Henry Ford Community College |
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