The Class of 2023 at DeSales Catholic School will commemorate the end of elementary school with a family-centered social, and a Graduation Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Church. The week leading up to the 8th grade graduation is a week filled with tradition, family and faith for the students and their families.
Graduation Day for the DeSales 8th graders is Thursday, June 22nd. The day of celebration begins with a breakfast honoring the Class of 2023 and their families, hosted by parent volunteers from the DeSales Home School Association. Class of 2023 Salutatorian Dylan Lamont, will address his classmates at the breakfast. When asked what he would speak about, Dylan said he will reflect on the lessons he and his classmates learned through athletics and the influence his beloved grandmother had on him and her love of DeSales. Dylan is the son of Christopher and Carmine Lamont and will attend Newfane High School in the fall.
A Graduation Mass will begin at 7:00pm at St. John the Baptist Church on the 22nd. The top scholar in the Class of 2023 is William Vona, the son of William & Gina Vona of Lockport. While considering what he will touch on in his Valedictory Address, William said his speech will reflect on all the good memories he has made and lessons he has learned during his this time at DeSales, how DeSales has shaped him and prepared him for his future endeavors. He will also extend a heartfelt thank you to all of his DeSales classmates. William will attend Lockport High School in the fall.
The Graduation Mass guest speaker will be DeSales High School Alumnus, Henry Murphy ‘19. Henry was named the Outstanding Senior by his peers and faculty at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute. He will be attending Florida State University in the fall, majoring in economics.
Principal Karen Rahill reflected on the current class of DeSales’ eighth graders, “I am blessed to have had the chance to watch these 22 students learn and grow, many since preschool. They have faced challenging times, and I am proud of how they have persevered. As they move on to high school, I wish them each the very best. They will always have a home here at DeSales.”
The twenty-two members of the DeSales Class of 2023 will move on to find success in public and private high schools across the region, including Lockport High School, Sacred Heart, Newfane High School, Canisius High School and St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute.
DeSales is Eastern Niagara County’s only Catholic School, serving over 300 students in Early Childhood Education through Eighth grade. For more information call (716) 433-6422 or visit www.desalescatholicschool.org.
