Posted June 10, 2014

Archbishop Charles Chaput presided at the graduation of 294 seniors from Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown on Friday, June 6. Kevin Kijewski, assistant superintendent for secondary schools in the archdiocese, was also present at the ceremony.

Matthew Skros was salutatorian and Gina D’Amore was valedictorian.

“We are the Class of 2014,” D’Amore told her classmates. “We are people of God and people for others.  Remember who you are.”

Archbishop Chaput reinforced her message by telling the graduates to stay close to God throughout their lives.

The Class of 2014 had many successes: one senior was honored by the C-Span network for a documentary film that he made; two seniors received appointments to military academies; two seniors were forensics state champions; three seniors were named All-American lacrosse players; 20 seniors were National Merit students (eight were finalists); 30 seniors were named All-ChesMont athletes; 54 seniors were Advancement Placement Scholars; and 192 seniors were awarded over $28.8 million in college scholarship and grant awards.

The yearbook, Aquila, was granted a gold medal by Columbia University and the school newspaper, Shanaviews, won a first place American Press Award.