ATLANTA--St. Pius X High School held commencement exercises for 244 members of the class of 1997 on Saturday, May 24, at Symphony Hall of the Woodruff Arts Center.

Donald T. Sasso, school principal, presented graduates receiving diplomas to Archbishop John F. Donoghue and archdiocesan superintendent of schools, Dr. Sandra Smith.

In his address to the graduates, Sasso encouraged them to use their knowledge and talents courageously in service and said, "I pray that you have been strengthened to carry out your mission of changing the world or some definite part of it, for the better. Despite any failures which you have had or will have (I pray) that you will always remember that your advantages are your blessings to be shared with others."

"I pray that you have been nourished in a practical desire to build up rather than tear down, in a desire to reconcile rather than polarize, in a desire to go out on a limb rather than crave security," he continued.

"Above all, class of 1997, never forget that it is far better to light one candle than to curse the darkness...it is your time to go and bring your candles, your light to a world which needs your brilliance."

At the graduation exercises, James McIntosh, son of Paul and Ellen McIntosh of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Atlanta, and Maureen McCarthy, daughter of Dennis and Mary Ann McCarthy of St. John Neumann Parish, Lilburn, were given the Archbishop's Award, which honors students who exemplify the teachings of the Gospel.

Sister Kathleen Purser, GNSH, class of 1960, was given the Distinguished Alumnus Award. A former Catholic school principal, she is executive director of North Atlanta Senior Services.

At the May 23 Honors Assembly, which recognized students for academic and athletic excellence, valedictorian Matthew Reger, son of Michael and Victoria Reger of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Atlanta, and co-salutatorians Adam Carlson, son of William and Karen Carlson of Holy Cross Parish, Atlanta, and Anna Marston, daughter of Edwin and Marilou Marston of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Atlanta, received the Cornelius L. Maloney Awards.

The Atlanta Journal/Constitution Journal Cup, presented to the best all-around senior, was also awarded to Adam Carlson. The Principal's Award was presented to Shawna Fields, daughter of William and Mary Fields of Corpus Christi Parish, Stone Mountain, and Kevin Wood, son of Chip and Kathy Wood of St. John Neumann Parish, Lilburn.

National Merit Finalists include valedictorian Reger; Michael Andrew, son of Robert and Laura Andrew; Adam Bumgarner, son of James and Linda Bumgarner of the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta; Charles Minor, son of Terrance and Deborah Minor of Holy Spirit Parish, Atlanta; Meredith Robinson, daughter of Russell and Barbara Robinson; Emily Teate, daughter of Michael and Pamela Teate; and Kristin Traicoff, daughter of James and Denise Traicoff of All Saints Parish, Dunwoody.

Claudio Azurmendi, son of Claudio and Jean Azurmendi of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Atlanta, and Edward Santiago Beck, son of Consuelo Beck-Sague, M.D., of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Atlanta, were named National Hispanic Scholars.

National Achievement Scholarships were awarded to Conrad Persons, son of Ray and Wendy-Joy Persons of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Decatur, and Ryan Taylor, son of Charter and Rosalind Taylor of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Atlanta.

Star Student Matthew Reger chose Jeanne Dalton as the Star Teacher. Alexis Horder, daughter of Richard and Mary Horder, was honored with the Carter L. Stout Service Award and a St. Pius Citizenship Medal. Andrew Lichtenwalner, son of Owen and Susan Lichtenwalner of St. John Neumann Parish, Lilburn, was also awarded a St. Pius Citizenship Medal.

Beth Heyer, daughter of Daniel and Jane Heyer of St. John Neumann Parish, Lilburn, was named outstanding female athlete and Marc Paisant, son of Hal and Sandra Paisant of St. Patrick's Parish, Norcross, was named outstanding male athlete.

Iris Partadiharja, daughter of Rachman and Francia Partadiharja of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Atlanta, was named the first recipient of the Msgr. Terry W. Young scholarship.

The Teacher of the Year Award was given to John Restrepo. A native of Paterson, N. J., with a bachelor's degree from the University of Dayton and a master's degree from Washington Theological Union, Restrepo joined the high school staff in 1989 to teach church history and morality. In addition, he has coached wrestling and football, assisted with play productions, lectured on church history and currently works with the archdiocesan Christian Leadership Institute for youth.

He is leaving St. Pius this year to enter the novitiate of the Dominican order, whose priests for many years staffed Holy Cross Parish where Restrepo is a parishioner.