Xavier Sends Forth Class of 2015

As proud families, teachers, friends, and alumni looked on, Xavier High School sent forth 228 seniors to the next stage of their lives at last week’s 173rd Commencement. The ceremony returned to Midtown Manhattan’s historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral on June 11, imbuing graduation with a grandeur equal to Xavier’s call to its Sons to work for the greater glory of God. 

Several notable guests honored Xavier with their presence, including Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who joined the opening procession and imparted words of wisdom to the graduates. “My advice to the Class of 2015 is simple: Go for it,” he said. Also on hand was Francis Mascola ’40, who was accompanied by several members of his family as he represented Xavier’s 75th reunion class.

Various individuals were honored at graduation, including the ceremony’s Grand Marshals, Bene Merenti Award winners Cindy Castro and Maureen Reinhart P’94 ’99 (honored for their 20 years of meritorious service to Xavier); Robert Bellarmine Award winner Joseph Gorski, Xavier’s retiring Vice President of Advancement; and a host of students for their varied achievements. (For a full list of student awards, see the end of this article.)

Through their addresses to the crowd, the Class of 2015’s valedictorian, Kevin Ko ’15, and salutatorian, Daniel McLaren ’15, brought graduation’s emphasis to its heart—the students who through four years on 16th Street became true Sons of Xavier. “The Class of 2015 pioneered new service opportunities and served in ways never before seen in the halls of Xavier,” McLaren said in his welcome address, calling to mind student service in his own neighborhood in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. “We as a class have answered the call to serve.”

In his farewell, Ko urged his classmates to look forward—with Xavier firmly in mind. “As we graduate, we are taking our talents away from 30 West 16th Street and out across the country. But before we all go off into the world, I want each of us to look at ourselves individually. … You have become a man who others can look up to—in hopes, a man for others.”

Rev. Louis Garaventa, S.J., who this year celebrates both his 50th high school reunion at Brooklyn Prep and 50 years as a Jesuit, gave the Commencement Address to the Class of 2015. He recalled his own high school graduation, reminding the class that leaving the comfort of Xavier is a necessary step on the road to the future. “You have been given the tools,” he told the class, “and now it is up to you to step up and take your place.”

After the issuing of diplomas, a rousing rendition of Sons of Xavier led by Robert Reinhart ’69 P’94 ’99, and the closing procession, members of the Class of 2015 flooded out the front doors of St. Patrick’s Cathedral—joining more than 20,000 Sons of Xavier who have gone before them. To see the full Commencement ceremony in pictures, visit our Flickr site.


Class of 2015 Awards
Religion Medal: Raymond Kong '15
Science Medal: Kevin Ko '15
English Medal: Nico Pezzella '15
Campbell Historical Medal: Jacob Duszka '15
Michael J. O’Donnell Mathematics Award: Raymond Kong '15
Barney Keller ‘34 Mathematics Scholarship Award: David Rogers '15
Donald G. Cooke '52 Medal: Kevin Moncrief '15
Latin Medal: Daniel McLaren '15
Modern Languages Medal, Spanish: Rene Rodriguez '15
Modern Languages Medal, Italian: Nico Pezzella and Samuel Rao '15
Modern Languages Medal, French: Emmanuel Luna '15
Silver Medal, Computers & Technology: Daniel Moran '15
Silver Medal, Art: Andrew Saldivar '15
Silver Medal, Drama: Nicholas Gangone '15
Silver Medal, Music: Devery Sheridan '15
Lance Corporal Michael D. Glover Memorial Medal: George Baroudos '15
Brooklyn Prep Medal: Christian Watch '15
Jesuit Secondary Education Association Awards: Joseph Aguilera and Krist Sokoli '15
Joseph P. Lombardo Memorial Award: Thomas (T.J.) Gray '15
George M. Carney & Helen D. Carney Memorial Award: Michael Miskimmon '15
Rev. Joseph Latella, S.J. Alumni Award: James Tweedy '15
Christopher L. Fagan '02 Award: Liam Shanks '15
Matthew J. Burke '91 Memorial Award: Eamonn Matthews '15
National Merit Scholarship Recipient: James McLaughlin '15
Class of 1974 John J. Ryan Bronze Medal: Rene Rodriguez '15
The Rev. William J. McGowan, S.J. Silver Medal: Kevin Ko '15
Claude Hubner Gold Medal: Nico Pezzella '15
Gerard Werckle Award: Harrison Hom '15
The Rev. Edward Spinello, S.J. Award: Daniel McLaren '15
Bernard Moynahan Scholar-Athlete Award: Charlie Lambert '15
The Rev. Vincent A. Taylor, S.J. Gold X Award: Rene Rodriguez '15