ATLANTA--The Marist School held its 98th commencement exercises for the class of 1999 the afternoon of Saturday, May 29, in Symphony Hall of the Woodruff Arts Center.

Headmaster Michael Maher awarded diplomas to the 192 class members at the graduation ceremony. Preceding the graduation, Father Ronald Nikodem, SM, and other members of the Marist community celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass held May 28 at Perimeter Church.

Katrina Besch, who attends All Saints Church, Dunwoody, and is the daughter of E. Donald and Ursula Besch of Atlanta, delivered the valedictory address. Lauren Beaty, daughter of Warren and Dee Beaty of Dunwoody, delivered the salutatory address.

At the graduation Besch received the Sedes Sapientiae Award, Marist’s highest honor given to the senior who, in the faculty’s opinion, excels in loyalty, scholarship and service. In her senior year Besch received the St. Genesis Award, Scholar Athlete Award and awards for excellence in English and religion. She was also voted most intelligent by her peers and recognized as an outstanding senior by the faculty.

Besch was vice president of the National Honor Society, treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta, a member of the German Honor Society, Thespians, Habitat for Humanity, the cross country team and the Marist Singers. She served as a student council representative beginning in ninth grade and also served as a eucharistic minister for the Breakfast Club. Besch plans to attend Princeton University.

In addition to being salutatorian, Lauren Beaty received the St. Cecilia Award. At Marist she was president of the National Honor Society, the French Honor Society, a member a Mu Alpha Theta and a board member of the Thespians and Damascus Leaders. She was the reviews editor for the “Blue and Gold” and served as a Peer Leader.

In her junior year, Beaty was awarded the Bill Jordan ’35 Award for Excellence in U.S. History, the Harvard Book Award, Foreign Language Excellence for AP French and was selected as the Most Effective Attorney in the Region Mock Trail Tournament. She plans to attend Duke University.

Lauren Moran, daughter of Dr. Charles and Mary Moran of Atlanta, and Kelly Rhino, son of Dr. Randy and Missy Rhino of Smyrna, received the Dean Hargis Award which recognizes seniors who made outstanding contributions to Marist School through leadership, dedication and tenacity as participants for more than one season in a varsity athletic program. The Morans attend St. Thomas More Church, Decatur.

The Archbishop’s Award, presented to the young man and woman who have achieved excellence in the study of the Catholic faith and have given service to their school, parish or community, went to Michael Godbold, son of N. Terry and Mary Jo Godbold of Roswell, and Mary Keegan, daughter of Arthur and Pier Keegan of Atlanta. The Godbolds are members of St. Andrew’s Church, Roswell, and the Keegans belong to Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Atlanta.

Kim Ensor, daughter of Eric and Pam Ensor of Atlanta, received the Atlanta Journal Cup which recognizes the best all-around senior who excels in service, friendliness, embodiment of the school philosophy and involvement in a variety of activities. The Ensors attend All Saints.

SCHOLARS -- Valedictorian Katrina Besch, left, and salutatorian Lauren Beaty, right, spoke at the May 29 graduation for The Marist School class of 1999. They are shown with headmaster Michael F. Maher.