Pacelli honors Class of 2025 with commencement Friday night
Published 8:47 pm Friday, May 23, 2025
Pacelli graduates wait outside of St. Augustine Catholic Church for the start of commencement Friday night. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Pacelli graduates Daran Plunkett, from left, Diego Sorela, Lexi Lewis and Morgan Klankowski talk outside of St. Augustine Catholic Church as they wait with classmates for the start of commencement Friday night. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Those in attendance at Pacelli’s commencement Friday night at St. Augustine Catholic Church watch as graduates make their way through the processional. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Daran Plunkett gives a reading during Pacelli Catholic School’s commencement Friday night at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Pacelli Class of 2025 salutatorian Elizabeth Frederick gives her address Friday night during teh school’s commencement at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Pacelli graduates Elizabeth Frederick, from left, Morgan Klankowski and Lexi Lewis are honored during the presentation of the Alpha/Omega Award during Pacelli commencement Friday night at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Pacelli valedictorian Kirsten Koopal address the Pacelli class of 2025 and the audience during the school’s commencement Fright night at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
On Friday night, 11 graduates from the Pacelli Catholic Schools Class of 2025 made their way down the heart of St. Augustine Catholic Church in front the beaming faces of family, friends and faculty.
The night was filled with both smiles and tears as Pacelli President Jean McDermott acknowledged this journey, recognizing that one moment was passing into the next.
“It’s remarkable to think the last four years for our graduating seniors at Pacelli have come to an end,” McDermott said. “It is a fantastic achievement for each of you to make it here today.”
Like McDermott, Pacelli Principal Robyn Bickler said it had been a privilege to not only help guide the graduates to this point Friday night, but also to watch what they have become during their time at Pacelli.
She noted the impact the seniors have had on the school as well as those students who will come after.
“It has been a privilege to watch you transform,” Bickler said. “You have demonstrated what it means to lead. You have set an example for those that follow.”
But she also reminded the students that they have an important task going forward and that was to further enhance their connection to their roots.
“You carry the legacy of Pacelli,” she said.
This year’s valedictorian was Kirsten Koopal with Elizabeth Frederick being named salutatorian. During her speech, Frederick acknowledged that she was taking the road less traveled in her speech, while admitting that of all her speeches given in school, this one was the most difficult.
“There’s no good way to say goodbye to the place that made me who I am,” she said.
She noted the challenges that her classmates may well face after graduation, but expressed all the confidence in the world that they would rise to the occasion whatever it may be.
“Pacelli has provided us with a foundation,” she said. “Continue to keep the lord in your lives.”
This year’s graduates included Koopal, Frederick, Yong Achuoth, Logyn Brooks, Frank DeLuna, Morgan Klankowski, Lexi Lewis, Deigo Sorela, Daran Plunkett, Victoria Vazquez and Tuan Khang Ta.
During the ceremony, the school also recognized the class’s Alpha/Omega Award recipients who have been with the school throughout their lives so far. This year’s winners were Frederick, Klankowski and Lewis.
