Good morning, my name is Mia Slanoc, and welcome Mr. Garrick, Mr. Jones, Mr. Zaremba, Mr. Dvorak, Mr. Neubert, faculty, staff, family, friends, and you, class of 2021. Welcome to the 58th commencement ceremony of St. Francis Desales High School. It’s funny to think that 4 years ago, we thought behavior and grades would be this class’ greatest struggle. Little did the class who was called down to the little theater in silence freshman year know, 4 years later we would survive a global pandemic, and overcome the difficulties associated with such — unprecedented times. I hope you’ll take this opportunity to walk down memory lane with me. Let’s venture back to freshman year, the year of the boys soccer state championship, the year of theology substitute Mr. Pritchard and Spanish substitute Señor Tower. The year of Mr. Delfino’s health class. The first year of summer uniforms. The year of egg drops and Newton cars and homemade kites, of personal narratives and poetry. The year of transition and change that came so lightning fast around every corner we barely had time to process. The year we were told in the Little Theater that our class needed leaders. The year we started to understand what it means to be such. As we walk further on this path, I want to present you with the definition of “sophomore”, a definition Mr. Early told me about when I begged for help recalling any notable events of sophomore year. In Greek, “sophos” means wise, and “morus” means fool. Sophomore year, as wise fools in our last year of being underclassmen, we saw girls lacrosse win a state championship, learned about love on sophomore retreat, dinosaurs in Mr. Burtch’s class, and had fun math Fridays with Mrs. Piña. Wise fool is a fitting term for this fleeting year, the year of growing pains and in-betweens. Caught somewhere between the freedom of driving and the shackles of curfews, sophomore year was the start of the jewel making process, turning coal to diamonds. Almost to the end of our road we reach junior year, the year of ACTs, SATs, SOSs and SMHs. The year of underdogs. The year of our girls volleyball team winning states against the number one ranked team in the country. The year of existentialism, both in European History class and in our lives. The year of decisions. The year of push. And, the year of… well, you know what happens next. The year of quiet. Of daily naps. Of “just checking in”. Our walk through junior year felt cut short, like the start of a sentence without a — closing. See what I did there? But still we walk on, after a brief sit on a bench. We finish the sentence with an exclamation point, Monse going to nationals for poetry out loud, state runs for both football and boys basketball, 2 successful Kairoses and a 1-day retreat, the reimplementation of senior quotes and baby photos in the yearbook, the courtyard, prom, and here, our greatest feat of all, graduation. Despite a year of what-ifs and maybes, we have ended our high school careers just as we started them— by making history. We are the only class who has ever been called down to the little theater for a pep talk and lecture. We are also the last class to have valedictorians and the class with the most valedictorians ever. When we were asked to step up and be leaders, 26 of us did so and then some. Not only leaders academically, but all of you, in each of our sports, musicals, art classes, extracurriculars, churches, friend groups, and homes. I think that’s character development worth noting. No one here wants or needs another talk about the awfulness we have faced this year. You all understand the trials and tribulations of the past year and quite frankly the past 4 years, because you lived them. Instead of reliving each heartache of the past 4 years, I’d like to instead say how proud I am of our class. Of you. With the same tenacity of Quintell Quinn on the football field or Des Watson on the court, you persevered. With the same grace of Mary Polemeni-McGovern on the stage, you persevered. With the same boldness of Kendall Gonya and her paintbrush, you persevered. With the same faith, hope, and love that the Catholic faith teaches, you persevered. This is no easy task, no bonus point quiz. The task of overcoming trials is a final exam, and you all passed. Perseverance is an award in itself, but it has also blessed us with championships, trophies, standing ovations, blue ribbons, brotherhoods, sisterhoods, best friendships, laughter, joy, and hope. It is no secret that all of our hard work has paid off immensely and then some. We ourselves are the fulfillment of our destinies, no longer uncertain freshmen scared to carry a poster through the hallway, but beautiful, boisterous seniors galloping gracefully into the future. All of us unique, carrying our own set of gifts, coming together as a family in faith and tradition, we must now go out and share what we’ve learned. From big academic lessons like calculus and physics, biology and chemistry, even a “soft science” like government, to the smaller lessons, how to work in groups, interact with teachers, send a proper email, and ask for help. Our alma mater is one of my favorite traditions, but in our excitement to pledge anew our loyalty to you Desales to you, we tend to gloss over the line “your teachings will light our way.” As we walk, jog, sprint to our new homes, our new places, we will take with us the teachings of St. Francis Desales. To be who we are and be that well. To be a light. A leader. And the joy of moving forward is that we never lose our past. To quote Gatsby, “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” Or, more simply from Hannah Montana, “You’ll always find your way back home.” Home is a concept I’ve rambled on about many times. Home is not one place, it is many places. And in fact, it is many people and ideas too. Desales is a home. Our class is a home. Our teachers are a home. It’s cheesy, it can be hard to agree with at times. But we have made this place, and each other, a home. From Southern California to Connecticut, Wisconsin to DC, North and South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Illinois, or right here in Ohio, new homes will be made, but old ones won’t be torn down. We’ll always have a place right here, our home at Desales. So as you start to pave your next path, one we may or may not walk together, never forget the path you walked first. The walkway of champions, heritage hall, and the counterclockwise path of the senior courtyard. As you fly forward, never forget who you gave you your wings. Your parents who brought you here. Your teachers and administrators who kept you here. Your friends you made here. The person you became here. On behalf of the student body, thank you, Desales, for being home. Thank you teachers and staff for helping us to grow. Thank you parents for sending us here, it is our greatest blessing. And to you, the class of 2021, thank you for your greatness the past 4 years. I want to close with a traditional Irish blessing. May the road rise to meet you May the wind be at your back May the sun shine warm upon your face May the rain fall softly on your fields And until we meet again May you keep safe In the gentle loving arms of God To you, class of 2021, to you..