Farewell to the Class of 2022

8 TOPIC • June 9, 2022
CLASS OF 2022 FEATURE
Farewell to the Class of 2022
‘Let your
dreams set sail’
On May 25, we bid farewell to the class of 2022
enjoying an action-packed morning of fun and
games before gathering in our school gym for a
very special Graduation evening with the theme
‘Let your dreams set sail’. A sail with every
student’s handprint featured as a fitting backdrop
to the special occasion which began with a
graduation mass led by Fr Liam Lawton and
concluded with presentations and speeches.
Principal, Emmet McDonnell spoke warmly to the
class of 2022 saying “as principal, one of the
many significant things I witnessed during your
years here was the support you offered for one
another, friendships, tolerance, and understanding.
This is by far the most important attribute –
not medals or trophies. It is how you deal with
others and show respect to others and to yourself.
That is the character we and your parents love to
see. That’s what makes us most proud.”
Chair of the prefects, Amy Lynch gave the
keynote speech on the evening and spoke fondly
about the school “what is it that makes
St. Mary’s so special? St. Mary’s is
a place where we are encouraged
to dream and are
given opportunities to
realise our dreams. Right
now, our focus is on
reviewing all of learning
and the hope that we
remember it on that
quintessential June day.
The course is set, it is all
mapped out. But tonight,
we need to think about the
fun we had and the friendships
we made during our years at St.
Mary’s. These relationships and memories will be
our ‘bridges linking the past and future/old
friends passing through with us still’ as the poet
Brendan Kennelly wrote.
In 20 years’, time we will still remember the trips
we went on, the shows we organised and the lifelong
friends that we made. Our time here in St.
Mary’s will not be remembered by grades, popularity,
likes or favourites, but by our relationships,
the kind of person you were. That will be the
legacy of the Class of 2022.”
Concluding the evening, Mr McDonnell
added: “We are so happy for you,
excited about all the possibilities
ahead of you. There is so much
you can achieve. Choose wisely.
Aim high but act cautiously.
This is not the end of your
journey it is merely the beginning
of the next chapter. You
have the rest of your life before
you – go and be the best that you
can be.”
Class of 2022, you were a wonderful
group of
students who had to make so many changes to
normal school life due to Covid. But you always
did it with such maturity and never complained.
For this we are very grateful.
“All in St. Mary’s school community wish you the
very best in your exams and whatever lies ahead
for you.”
Brian Dunne, Ademar Stones, Jack Coyne and Alex Reilly.
Antonio Ciurary and his mother Monica Ciuraru.
All photos by Joan O’Brien.
Derek Lowry, Michael Brady, Cian Conroy and Meabh O’Grady
Aoibhinn Hawksworth and Ciara Corrigan.
Anna Doyle.