Good evening and welcome to the Graduation of the St. John’s School Class of 2006.
I know that our Bishop, the Right Reverend George E. Packard, had hoped to be here tonight yet he had other pressing commitments that he is attending to as he is also the bishop for all Episcopal federal chaplains serving in the military, federal prisons, and Veteran’s Affairs facilities. He also supports the care for all other chaplains by coordinating the training and advocacy for diocesan health care, prison, emergency responder, and maritime chaplains in the life of the Church so you can imagine his very busy schedule.
However he has a very soft spot in his heart for you graduates as well as our school and the Episcopal Church in Micronesia. Make sure you read his message in the program as you can feel the warmth and caring in his heartfelt congratulations to you.
At this time I would like to take this opportunity to recognize our very special guests:
We are very honored to have two speakers for our graduation tonight – kind of a international mix that reflects our diversity of multicultural-transnational makeup at St. John’s School.
Please join me in welcoming Guam’s own representative in our Nation’s capital, the Honorable Congresswoman Madelene Z. Bordallo who was able to arrange her busy schedule to be with us tonight.
Due to the continued generosity of the Morita Educational Foundation under the care of Mr. Joe Morita, St. John’s has developed strong ties to the Republic of Palau and her people. Therefore, it is truly an pleasure to have the Honorable Mr. Kuniwo Nakamura, former president of Palau, join us here this evening.
It is also a great privilege and honor to recognize the Board of Trustees who are present here with us tonight. Thank you, Trustees, for all that you do in the name of service for the long term future of our school community.
Mrs. Mel Santos, our Dean of Students Mrs. Becky Hernandez, our Business Manager, Chaplain James Moore, our spiritual guide at St. John’s — we recognize your place on our stage as part of our school team for the sake of the students. This night would not have come to fruition without your most integral work needed to complete the mission of our school in the area of spirituality, wellness, supervision, instruction, and financial health — thank you.
I truly respect and appreciate the honor of recognizing our most talented faculty in attendance tonight. Thank you for your dedication, integrity and passion. You are St. John’s School.
Parents, you who entrust us with your most precious children — now young adults passing through the most important transition towards maturity — I salute you for your faith in the school — your commitment to support our mission — your interest in improving for the future — and your love for your family. Thank you for allowing us to serve you and your children.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Mr. & Mrs. George Lai for their generous donation to the headmaster dinner last night. We are very appreciative of the kind gesture.
Finally, with great respect, I heartily recognize 36 very talented individuals who have met the challenge and earned tonight the recognition due them as graduates of St. John’s School. You have earned so many accolades that it would take too long tonight to describe all of your successes — what with:
your earning over 1.2 million dollars in merit-based financial aid for next year,
your acceptance in more than 66 of the finest universities and colleges,
50% of the class currently on the Headmaster and Honors list for grades of 87% and above,
38% of the entire class in the National Honor Society, and on and on and on.
In addition to academic excellence you make us all proud because you are people of great character. You will leave this place as global citizens prepared to shape the world in your character. If I may give you one small suggestion — remember that all of us: the Board of Trustees, the faculty, office staff, maintenance, your parents and the school community members feel the same as how Bishop Packard felt when he wrote to you in his congratulatory message recorded in your program. He states, “I continue to be extremely proud of each of you and sing your praises at every opportunity” — As we sing your praises remember that the men and women who hold high places must be the ones who start to mold a new reality – closer to the heart.
