Celebrating the Class of 2023
On Saturday, June 3rd, Saint Patrick Catholic School welcomed the Class of 2023, their families, and friends on campus for our graduation ceremony in the school’s beautiful gymnasium. We were so excited to celebrate this Eighth Grade class as a Wolfhound community!
As is tradition at Saint Patrick, the Tidewater Pipes and Drums opened the ceremony. Head of School Lauren Mazzari welcomed our Eighth Grade graduates and their families, our Board of Directors, alumni, and principal emeritus, Steve Hammond. In her remarks, she noted that graduation marked the final chapter in her first year as Head of School and that the Class of 2023 held a special place in her heart as the first group of Wolfhounds to graduate during her tenure. Mrs. Mazzari spent the school year getting to know each member of the Eighth Grade by serving as a chaperone on the class’ overnight retreat on the Eastern Shore, leading a Shakespeare club during activity bell, and joining the students on their field trip to Washington, D.C. She spoke to what made each student special and how their unique gifts and talents made the Class of 2023 an exceptional group of Wolfhounds.
Mrs. Mazzari then introduced the keynote speaker, alumna Jessie Wohner, Class of 2014. Jessie is a proud Wolfhound and a graduate of both Catholic High School and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. She shared what she learned throughout her rigorous training at the Merchant Marine Academy and related it to the challenges and opportunities these graduates will face as they move on to high school and beyond. Jessie’s journey shows us how a foundation of faith, friendship, hard work, and perseverance equips each student at Saint Patrick with the tools they will need to grow and thrive as courageous servant leaders.
Celtic Council President and Eighth Grade student, Olivia Kohler, took the stage and delivered a very moving speech in which she compared the experience of Eighth Grade to the adventures of Ariel, the Little Mermaid, who, with undaunted courage and curiosity, left the only community she had ever known for a great adventure.
Following the speeches, the Eighth Grade sang “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars before Assistant Head of School and Middle School Director Jamye Brown called the students up individually to the stage to receive their diploma from Head of School Mrs. Mazzari and new President of the Board Dr. Pamela McKinney. The students also received a special memento and a yellow rose from founding Principal Steve Hammond as they stepped off the stage. Executive Assistant Mallory Sigmon sang a beautiful rendition of the traditional Irish Blessing to close out the 2023 ceremony and the students recessed to ‘Celebration” by Kool & The Gang. We wish them all the best and hope they will visit often. Once a Wolfhound, always a Wolfhound!
