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Prayers go out to Trinity’s Class of 2012
Mia Salazar (middle) joins other graduating seniors during commencement ceremonies at Trinity High School in River Forest, Friday, May 25, 2012. | J.Geil ~ For Sun-Times Media
Updated: July 3, 2012 11:18AM
Trinity High School’s graduation ceremony stopped for a prayer for the Class of 2012, with hundreds of outstretched hands lifted up in their direction.
The hands belonged to parents, friends and family who gathered in the high school’s auditorium on May 25 to wish the graduating class well on their next stage in life.
Kate Absher, who has been a teacher at the school for several years, talked during the “Reflection” portion of the graduation ceremony. She said it has always been hard to say goodbye to a graduating class but Class of 2012 is special.
“Being a teacher meant falling in love with the students, see them grow up, graduate and move on, but we still find it hard to let go,” she said.
“I just don’t want to say goodbye,” she said at one time holding back tears during her speech. “You are a pretty amazing class.”
That statement is not hard to back up with 91 percent of the class of 139 going on to attend four-year colleges across the country. The students also broke a school record in the amount of scholarship funds they received as well.
The school’s valedictorian, Alexandra Lamacki, gave the Valedictorian Address to the group and her fellow students. She expressed how her time at Trinity was inspiring, especially through the actions of her fellow students be it academically, socially or athletically. She encouraged her fellow graduates to continue inspiring others.
“No matter where I go and what I do I want to inspire someone and touch someone’s life,” she said.
Anupama Lukose received the school’s Christian Womanhood Award for inspiring others. Sister Michelle Germanson, president of Trinity High School, said the award is given to someone who takes on the values of Jesus and Mother Mary.
Germanson and others described Lukose as “a very respectful person who does not judge,” “a giver of great advice” and “kind and humble.”
When Lukose’s name was announced her peers erupted in applause as she strode to the podium to receive her award.
When it came time for students to receive their diplomas, many of the students were joined by a parent, who presented them their diplomas, many of them Trinity alums.
Kenya Morgan, Class of 1994, said awarding her daughter, Mia, her diploma was special experience. “It was very lovely,” she said.
She shares some of the same memories her daughter and other graduates have currently experienced, saying the school was a “great community.”
“They (school) just made you feel like you could do anything,” she said.
Her daughter plans on studying biology at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky.
Alessandra Rainone of Elmwood Park waited patiently for her family and friends after she and the rest of the class exited the auditorium. She said the past four years were tough, but she’s made a lot of good friends.
“It’s very liberating and exciting,” she said about graduating.
She plans on going to Loyola University in Chicago in the fall, but is in no rush. “I hope the summer goes slow,” she said.
Maggie Sullivan said as a graduate she will miss wearing the school’s uniform because now she will have to do some shopping. “Seriously I don’t have any clothes,” she said.
Melanie Barnes of Oak Park will be attending college in New Orleans, but said her experience at Trinity overall has made her a better person.
“I had a lot of fun,” she said. “I learned a lot from a lot of people.”
