Twenty-six students comprised the EC Class of 2019 who graduated on Sunday, May 19, 2019. Collectively the class was accepted to 53 different colleges and universities across the country and abroad. They completed 3,200+ service hours during their years in high school; average 25+ on the ACT, and amassed 3.1 million dollars in scholarship offers.
Graduation festivities kicked off on the seniors’ last full day of classes when they walked the halls of both the high school and the academy buildings in their caps and gowns. In the academy building, they picked up the kindergarteners who are preparing for their own graduation on June 5 and walked the halls together.
On seniors honors night, eleven of the students were recognized for having been at Everest since they were in first grade. Parents shared their testimonies and reflections in the booklet for the evening. Graduate Grace Lowney shared reflections on her time at Everest. Sharing about her experience of the recent senior pilgrimage to the Holy Land she said, “Something really special about this trip was realizing the true message of Everest. I personally didn’t realize it until I got back and did the escape room with Mr. Mileski. He was talking to us at the end and he told us that, ‘The real message of Everest is hidden… It is Christ.’ That really changed the meaning of Everest for me. No only do families share memories like this together, but they find out the true meaning of family along the way.”
Sunday’s commencement ceremonies began with an address by headmaster and high school principal, Mr. Greg Reichert. Mr. Reichert spokes to the class congratulating them on their many achievements and encouraging the to continue to live with the qualities they have demonstrated as a group, particularly obedience to God’s authority in this world in which exists very real evil. The ceremony continued with a keynote address from Archdiocese of Detroit school superintendent, Mr. Kevin Kijewski, J.D. in which he emphasized the gift of Catholic education and challenged the students to stay true to it throughout their lives. Students speeches were given by valedictorians Mia Korns and Shane Dolan as well as Integer award winners Kirsty Liu and Shane Dolan.
Kirsty shared her experience coming to Everest as an international student from China. She concluded, “Before I knew it, I’m standing here in a cap and gown, not as a naïve 14-year-old Chinese girl who just landed in America, but as the architect of my own life, building my palace with blocks of faith on the foundation of love. I am aware that I’m lucky to be able to share my story with you, a story obviously not drawn as a straight line but that made its way to the proper ending. Hopefully this can change you view of what education means to a student, and how transformative this education can be when done with great love like what Everest has done with each of us.”
As is tradition, the graduates processed out to the statue of Our Lady in the parking lot to pray one last decade of the rosary together. They then released balloons, just as they had 13 years ago at their kindergarten graduation.
