Notre Dame Graduates 143

Valedictorian Jawhara Maria Karam
photo courtesy of Raymond Lahoud

Notre Dame of Green Pond High School graduated 143 seniors on Sunday in its 50th commencement ceremony before a standing-room only crowd of over 600 people. They crammed into the high school's gym and auditorium. Last year's outdoor ceremony was dampened by several downpours, and threatening skies convinced school officials to go inside. It is a school of faith, but still relies on Accuweather.

Several alumni from the Class of 1966 were on hand to congratulate the new graduates. These included U.S. Army Colonel Robert Reddy, who went from high school into the armed forces and has been there for the past 50 years.

Principal Mario Lucrezi thanked parents for the sacrifices they have made to send their children to Catholic school, which includes an annual $7,000 tuition. "Without your commitment to Catholic education, we would not be here," he said. He advised graduates to work before they play, share what they have, love and respect their family and keep God in their plan.

Saluatorian Kathleen Capella mentioned that the high school gym in which they were all crammed serves many other purposes - It's an auditorium, a basketball court for some of the area's most exciting games, a place where mass is celebrated, a theatre and has even served as a 24-hour dance floor. "We do a lot with what little we have," she said, though she admitted "we all can use a little Divine intervention at times." She said she's learned to keep fighting like the Notre Dame Crusader who is knocked off her horse. "We fight for faith."

Valedictorian Jawhara Maria Karam ticked off the accomplishments of the Class of 2016. They include girls' soccer district finalist, football district champion, National Merit finalist, Freddie Winner and that class that raised $80,000 for children's hospital. But she noted the hardships along the way. Not everyone makes Varsity. Not all students get an A. "We need to be patient and trust that God is with us, every step of the way." She said that what she learned at Notre Dame is that we must "follow our own path, even though it may not be the most popular path."

Bishop John O Barres attended the commencement, and assisted Principal Lucrezi in awarding diplomas.

Though there are only 143 graduates, 172 colleges and universities have accepted members of the Class of 2016.

Notre Dame High School is a private, co-ed Roman Catholic high school near Easton, Pennsylvania, in Bethlehem Township. With an enrollment of about 570 students, taught by a 40-person faculty, the school includes 9th through 12 grades.

Notre Dame's 121 Grads Reminded, "God Is Always Here"

National Honor Societ listens to MVB (most valuable Bishop)

Notre Dame Green Pond's gridiron was filled to the brim on a sunny June 1 with over 500 raucous people. But instead of a rooting for the Crusaders' improving football team, these fans were cheering for 121 graduating sons and daughters, who were saying good-bye to their second home over the past four years. But valedictorian Gabrielle DeMatos Grys reminded them, "We are never alone. God is always here."

This emphasis on spirituality, along with a sprinkle of humor here and there, was the common theme throughout the ceremony. Salutatorian Jimmy Capella, for example, insisted on starting his address by taking a selfie. But his address focused on the impact of the Blessed Mother. In fact, at a school named after her, Capella finished his speech by reciting the Hail Mary.

Most Rev. John O. Barres, Bishop

Capella was by no means the only person taking pictures. Parents flooded both sides of the outdoor stage for their own shots of the ceremony. Even Valedictorian Grys took a selfie before she started her speech, explaining her class had commanded her to do it.

Selfies must matter. But according to Grys, accolades and big paychecks mean little. In fact, she even conceded her class is not the smartest or most athletic that Notre Dame ever graduated. But what sets them apart is that they care about others. "We impact the people around us in a positive way."

Graduation photographers

And then, perhaps in a hint to the moms and dads in the crowd, she quoted F. Scott Fitzgerald.

"It’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it."

The MVB (Most Valuable Bishop), as Seniors referred to The Most Reverend John O. Barres, Bishop of the Allentown Diocese, was presented with a gift, after which he delivered the commencement address. He reminded the audience of the example that Pope Francis, increasingly referred to as the "People's Pope," has set for people of all faiths. Calling the Holy Father a man of "communion and peace," he called on the graduating class to be men and women of communion and peace.

More graduation photographers

Graduates of this class will go on to pursue their education at 52 different colleges and universities, from Moravian College to Georgetown University. Scholarships have been awarded to 14 students.

Notre Dame High School is a private, co-ed Roman Catholic high school near Easton, Pennsylvania, United States, in Bethlehem Township. With an enrollment of about 570, taught by a 40-person faculty, it includes 9th through 12 grades. Joseph R. Kramer, Jr., is the Principal.

Becahi Girls' B-Ball Coach: Failure is Part of Success

Megan Dellegrotti

When she was in the 7th Grade, Megan Dellegrotti experienced her first big disappointment when she was passed over for a basketball team on which all her friends were playing. Crushed, she was ready to pack it in. But her father gave her a dose of reality. Unlike her friends, she had been playing for only a year.  "When you're not practicing, someone out there is," he told her. It's a message she took to heart and one that led her to become Berwick High School's all-time leading scorer. It led to where she is today, head girls basketball coach at Becahi. She shared her story at Notre Dame of Bethlehem's 45th Annual CYO Banquet on May 16.

Dellegrotti told the grade school student athletes that she's no natural, either in sports or academics. But though she's only 5'4", she played Division I basketball at the University of Delaware. Team captain for two years, she was selected to the NCAA East Regional Team. But she's most proud of her academic achievements. "My commitment to academics made everything possible," she said, explaining that she learned to prioritize her time. Those days started with 6:30 am workouts to compete with athletes who were faster and taller.

Those days ended with the books. "Being smart is sexy," she insisted.

Before coming to Becahi, Dellegrotti coached at Southern Lehigh for five seasons, leading them to three Colonial League Championships and a 104-28 record.

But instead of claiming that winning is everything, or the only thing, she told sto make udents the most important lesson is learning to fail. "Failure is part of success," she teaches.

Dellegrotti's speech, not the typical fare expected from a coach, was greeted with a standing ovation.

Notre Dame's CYO then went on to make its annual awards. The biggest honor, the 2014 CYO Christian Spirit Award, went to 8th Grader Grant Hershman, a three-sport athlete who has maintained high honors. When it was announced, his grandfather Lou brushed a tear from his eye. He tried to hide it, but is very proud of his grandson, and rightfully so.

Lou Hersham with his grandson, Christian Spirit Award winner Grant Hershman

Lou's other grandson, Cole, was awarded MVP an the Biddy Boys Basketball Team. He is going to be a terror on the court.

Lou Hershman with grandson Cole

Lou calls his grandsons General Grant and Colonel Cole.

On the varsity boys basketball team, there were two winners.

Though he's only in seventh grade, Caden Giordano (pictured right), won every tip-off and was deadly under the boards. He took MIP. Single-handedly, he turned a playoff game around. My grandson, Dat Lambert (pictured left), was awarded MVP. He is a very deceptive point guard whose quick moves on the court has actually caused opposing players run into each other. He's also a thief, good for stealing the ball several times a game.

The person who taught him how to steal? A judge, of course. Judge Emil Giordano, who led another CYO basketball team to an undefeated season, coached Dat when he first started playing basketball, and encouraged these felonies.

Caden has a year to go, but Grant and Dat are on their way to Becahi next year. Grant will be playing baseball and hoops. Dat will play football and basketball.

Many of you more regular readers have watched Dat grow up on this blog. Thanks for putting up with my bragging. The person who has been behind him every step of the way is his mother, Tuyet.

Dat has also been supported by numerous other selfless coaches, from Rodney Robinson to Craig Golden to Chuck Rockmore and Duane Schmoyer.

Notre Dame Continues Its March to 'Ship

After poking holes in Holy Family today, Notre Dame's 8th grade basketball continues its march to the the championship, just one game behind the juvenile delinquents at St. Anne's. I see a mighty battle brewing. Notre Dame lost the first encounter by two, but team Accountant Lou Hershman was in Texas. He's canceled all plans, has sharpened his pencils, and is ready to debate the score.

If they win the Diocesan championship, they play the Vatican.

Notre Dame Graduates 123: "The World is Ours"

The stands were packed at Notre Dame's gridiron on June 2. But instead of shoulder pads and helmets, the uniform of the day was Oxford caps and graduation gowns. The Bethlehem Township High School said good-bye to 123 Seniors, who have been accepted by 86 colleges. "The world is ours," announced Valedictorian Jessica Ann Petrakovic, an Easton resident. If Notre Dame's graduating seniors are any indication, it will be a better world.

Among all the scholarships and honors bestowed, the one that meant most to graduating seniors was a simple plaque from Diane Silviotti to graduating senior Hunter MacMillan. Silviotti, herself a Notre Dame grad, suffers from cerebral palsy, was the victim of $22,000 home robbery in 2009 and was unable to pay her property taxes. MacMillan came to the rescue, raising $1,000 by devoting a summer to collecting aluminum cans. He was aided in that quest by Principal Joseph Kramer.

Diane Silviotti

MacMillan is also the departing Student Council President.

There should have been 124 graduates. But one of them, Kimmy Gillow, passed away in her Freshman year after a courageous battle against cancer.

Students released orange balloons in her honor.

In a stirring valedictory address, Petrakovic predicted, "We will all mess up beautifully and we will all be far better people for it." Quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson, she encouraged graduates to go "where there is no path and leave a trail." But the Most Reverend John O. Barres, Bishop of the Allentown Diocese, cautioned that wherever that trailblazing might lead, it had better include Sunday Mass.

Bishop Barres used his cape to fly away when it was over.

Bishop Barres also reminded graduates of the admonition of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of writers and journalists.

"Be who you are and be that well," advised the 17th Century French Bishop.

A little more worldly, Salutatorian Jamee Beth Lopiano, of Bethlehem, spoke of high school memories that will stay with them all.

Notre Dame High School is a private, co-ed Roman Catholic high school near Easton, Pennsylvania, United States, in Bethlehem Township. With an enrollment of about 570, taught by a 40-person faculty, it includes 9th through 12 grades.

Notre Dame Teacher Honored by Hanover Township

At Notre Dame grade school, she's known as a stern 8th grade math teacher, a taskmaster who demands the very best from her students. But when they go on to high school, they're very glad that Maureen M. Thorley was one of their mentors.

Hanover Supervisors honored Maureen M. Thorley at their January 25 meeting for nine years of tireless dedication as Committee Chairperson of Boy Scout Troop 352, which is headquartered at Notre Dame of Bethlehem Church. During this time, Ms. Thorley was instrumental in helping twenty-one young men earn the rare rank of Eagle. In addition to their proclamation, Supervisors established the week of February 6, 2011 as Maureen Thorley Week in Hanover Township.

The Allentown Watchdog at Notre Dame Grade School

Warning! This is a Bragging Grandparent post. Please read with extreme caution, or not at all.

Yesterday, when Judge Baratta's Gracedale opinion came down, I was at Notre Dame grade school in Bethlehem. Every year, all the grandparents are invited for lunch, and I really enjoy the visit. I think the kids look forward to it, too.

This year, it was especially enjoyable because Dat and I were seated with none other than the Allentown Watchdog, Lou Hershman, and his two grandsons. For an hour, I ignored all the calls about Baratta's ruling and instead discussed the Superbowl with my grandson Dat, and Lou Hershman grandsons Grant and Cole. We also briefly discussed whether the Green Hornet and Kato could take the Batman and Robin in an even fight. We ate ham, mashed potatoes and corn, and Lou told us we had to leave something on our plate for etiquette.

I left one kernel of corn.

Below, from left to right, you can see Grant Hershman, Dat Lambert, Cole Hershman and Anderson Bento. I told them to look really tough, and this is what I got.