AUBURN -Tyburn Academy of Mary Immaculate held its 12th commencement ceremony at St. Mary's Church Friday evening. Ten graduates, including Korean exchange student Austin Park, attended a graduation Mass celebrated jointly by the Rev. Frank Lioi and the Rev. John Coffee of St. Mary's parish and the Rev. Dennis Shaw of Holy Family parish.
“Pomp and Circumstance” began the graduates' procession, followed by Tyburn choir singing hymns, directed by David Correll.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth, but store up your treasures in Heaven. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be,” Lioi read from Matthew 6: 19-23. “The lamp of your body is your eye.”
Lioi called the late Tim Russert an example and icon of what a thoroughly Catholic education can accomplish.
“He was the kind of person that might have graduated from Tyburn,” he said. “If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light.
We pray for our graduates that they may be a light in the world reflecting God's love.”
Cecilia Jimenez, Marcos
Ferreira and Tony Errico presented the Gifts.
After Mass, principal Jeanne Hogan introduced salutatorian Jaime E. Mullin to begin the ceremony.
“Our salutatorian has traveled from Syracuse for four years to come to Tyburn,” Hogan said. Mullin, an elementary education major, will attend Mt. Saint Mary's in Emmitsburg, Md., in the fall.
“Each of us will experience different situations that will test our character,” Mullin said in her address. “Although we may still feel a little hesitant about our new path, we must remember God sees the big picture. ... It is hard for us to know where we are going, how we are going to get there, and if we are making the right choice. We never know where the road is taking us, but one thing we do know is that God is with us and is waiting at the end for us.”
Mullin called Tyburn “a blessing in disguise” recalling Hogan's advice to keep a journal of good things.
Valedictorian Timothy J. Dygert thanked parents, family members, teachers and classmates, to whom he addressed the rest of his speech. Dygert, a math major, will go to St. Ignatius Loyola University in Baltimore, Md.
“People often laugh when I tell them that my senior class consists of only nine students,” he said. “I guess they have a point because, after all, how many senior classes can ride in one car to a movie, occupy only two hotel rooms on a class trip, and fit into a single booth ... at a restaurant? But the size of our class gave us an opportunity to grow together and to take our high school experience to another level.”
“I am convinced that you are capable of achieving whatever goals you set for yourselves,” he said. “Don't be discouraged by the hard work. ... Don't be afraid of failure. ... And don't believe people who tell you that you aren't good enough or that you can't do a particular thing. ... Keep them in the back of your mind and make their words your battle cry.”
Dygert recalled Michael Jordan as someone who didn't quit, even though he didn't make the JV basketball team as a 10th-grader.
“Remember that no one decides how great you will be except yourself,” Dygert said. “It is often said that there is no such thing as a dream come true #*but let me tell you something #*this class that is graduating tonight is about to prove that theory wrong #* nine times.”
“It's a tough day, your last time at Tyburn,” guest speaker Robert Walters said in his commencement address. “You go into a world that is definitely not Tyburn.” He reminded them of a motto that the late Rev. Shamon espoused.
“The truth will set you free. Without truth, you do not have freedom,” Walters said.
Jeanne Hogan and David DeSantis then presented diplomas.
Robert Faiola presented the St. Edmund Campion Award to Timothy Dygert as a student who exemplified the values fostered by the Academy. Campion was an English martyr who died in Tyburn, England in 1586.
Graduates then recited a prayer of consecration, and principal Hogan made closing remarks.
“Work at becoming yourselves,” she told the graduates. “Run the good race before you and keep your eye on the prize.”
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth, but store up your treasures in Heaven. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be,” Lioi read from Matthew 6: 19-23. “The lamp of your body is your eye.”
Lioi called the late Tim Russert an example and icon of what a thoroughly Catholic education can accomplish.
“He was the kind of person that might have graduated from Tyburn,” he said. “If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light.
We pray for our graduates that they may be a light in the world reflecting God's love.”
Cecilia Jimenez, Marcos
Ferreira and Tony Errico presented the Gifts.
After Mass, principal Jeanne Hogan introduced salutatorian Jaime E. Mullin to begin the ceremony.
“Our salutatorian has traveled from Syracuse for four years to come to Tyburn,” Hogan said. Mullin, an elementary education major, will attend Mt. Saint Mary's in Emmitsburg, Md., in the fall.
“Each of us will experience different situations that will test our character,” Mullin said in her address. “Although we may still feel a little hesitant about our new path, we must remember God sees the big picture. ... It is hard for us to know where we are going, how we are going to get there, and if we are making the right choice. We never know where the road is taking us, but one thing we do know is that God is with us and is waiting at the end for us.”
Mullin called Tyburn “a blessing in disguise” recalling Hogan's advice to keep a journal of good things.
Valedictorian Timothy J. Dygert thanked parents, family members, teachers and classmates, to whom he addressed the rest of his speech. Dygert, a math major, will go to St. Ignatius Loyola University in Baltimore, Md.
“People often laugh when I tell them that my senior class consists of only nine students,” he said. “I guess they have a point because, after all, how many senior classes can ride in one car to a movie, occupy only two hotel rooms on a class trip, and fit into a single booth ... at a restaurant? But the size of our class gave us an opportunity to grow together and to take our high school experience to another level.”
“I am convinced that you are capable of achieving whatever goals you set for yourselves,” he said. “Don't be discouraged by the hard work. ... Don't be afraid of failure. ... And don't believe people who tell you that you aren't good enough or that you can't do a particular thing. ... Keep them in the back of your mind and make their words your battle cry.”
Dygert recalled Michael Jordan as someone who didn't quit, even though he didn't make the JV basketball team as a 10th-grader.
“Remember that no one decides how great you will be except yourself,” Dygert said. “It is often said that there is no such thing as a dream come true #*but let me tell you something #*this class that is graduating tonight is about to prove that theory wrong #* nine times.”
“It's a tough day, your last time at Tyburn,” guest speaker Robert Walters said in his commencement address. “You go into a world that is definitely not Tyburn.” He reminded them of a motto that the late Rev. Shamon espoused.
“The truth will set you free. Without truth, you do not have freedom,” Walters said.
Jeanne Hogan and David DeSantis then presented diplomas.
Robert Faiola presented the St. Edmund Campion Award to Timothy Dygert as a student who exemplified the values fostered by the Academy. Campion was an English martyr who died in Tyburn, England in 1586.
Graduates then recited a prayer of consecration, and principal Hogan made closing remarks.
“Work at becoming yourselves,” she told the graduates. “Run the good race before you and keep your eye on the prize.”
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
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