Evergreen Park student named McAuley salutatorian
July 12, 2012 1:12PM
Pictured (from left) are Mother McAuley High School President Christine Melone; principal Claudia Woodruff; student speaker Andrea Bastien; salutatorian Claire Ryan; valedictorian Julie Burns and faculty speaker Cathy O’Grady. | Supplied Photo
Updated: August 16, 2012 6:05AM
Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School recently held its 55th commencement ceremony. Family and friends of the 317 graduates gathered for the outdoor ceremony on the east lawn of the campus.
In keeping with McAuley tradition, the graduates wore white gowns, elbow-length white gloves and carried a long-stem red rose. It’s a tradition school officials said dates back to St. Xavier Academy, which became Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School in 1956.
In addition to the distribution of diplomas, the ceremony included speeches from the valedictorian, salutatorian, student speaker and faculty speaker.
The valedictorian is the student with the highest GPA in the graduating class. This year, the honor went to Julie Burns, of Palos Park, with a grade point average of 4.43.
The salutatorian, Claire Ryan, of Evergreen Park, achieved the distinction of having the second highest GPA of 4.41, in the graduating class.
Each year, the graduating class selects one student and one faculty member to speak at their commencement ceremony. The student speaker for the Class of 2012 was Andrea Bastien, of Chicago; and Spanish teacher Cathleen O’Grady was the faculty speaker.
Provided to the
SouthtownStar
