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ATLANTAMarist School held commencement exercises for the 181
members of the Centennial Class of 2001 on Saturday, May 26.
Father Joel Konzen, SM, awarded diplomas at the ceremony. The
baccalaureate Mass was celebrated on Friday, May 25. Celebrants of the liturgy
included retiring school president Father James Hartnett, SM. The 100th
baccalaureate and graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2001 marked the first
official activities to be held in the newly completed Centennial Center.
As part of the schools centennial celebration, members of
the Class of 1951 participated in the graduation ceremonies. The 50th reunion
class, wearing gold caps and gowns, marched in the processional with the Class
of 2001. After the 2001 graduates received their diplomas, members of the
graduating class made a special presentation of 50th reunion pins to the Class
of 1951.
Brent Taylor, the son of Robert and Dr. Sharon Taylor of Atlanta,
delivered the valedictory address. He was named Marists STAR student in
2001 and was a member of the varsity football team, math team, track team,
National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. He was a
retreat leader and merited placement on the deans list each year of his
attendance at Marist. Taylor received awards in math, science and social
studies, including the Bill Jordan 35 Award for Excellence in U.S.
History. Named an outstanding senior by the faculty, Taylor will attend Harvard
University in Cambridge, Mass., in the fall.
Anna Arias, a member of Holy Cross Church, Atlanta, and the
daughter of Salvatore and Mary Anne Arias, gave the salutatory address. A
co-editor of the school yearbook, the Guidon, Arias achievements included
membership in the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha
Theta and Mosaic. She received the Embry Family Community Service Award on St.
Peter Chanel Day for her community service activities. She donated the award
money to Mission Honduras where she spent a summer working with
children. A eucharistic minister, she also achieved the deans list each
quarter and was named an outstanding senior by the faculty. She will attend the
University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind.
As valedictorian and salutatorian, Taylor and Arias also received
the Harley R. Kimmel Memorial Award, which is presented each year by the Marist
Parents Club. As part of the schools centennial celebration, Thomas
Kimmel (60), the son of Harley Kimmel, after whom the award is named,
presented the awards to the valedictorian and salutatorian. Taylor and Arias
also tied for recipient of the Atlanta Journal Cup, which recognizes the best
all-around senior, one who excels in service, friendliness, embodiment of the
school philosophy and involvement in a variety of activities.
The Sedes Sapientiae Award, Marists highest honor, awarded
to the senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, excels in loyalty,
scholarship and service, went to Emily Conger, the daughter of Robert and
Margaret Conger of Atlanta, who are members of All Saints Church in Dunwoody.
Another of the 11 outstanding seniors and a consistent deans list
student, she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor
Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She is vice-president of Habitat for Humanity, a
varsity swimmer, a retreat leader and eucharistic minister. She will attend
Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
The Archbishops Award, presented to the young man and woman
who have achieved excellence in the study of the Catholic faith as well as
giving service to their school, parish or community, was presented to Nathan
Smith, a member of St. Jude Church in Atlanta, and the son of Dr. Stephen and
Martha Smith, and to Alex Jones, a member of Holy Spirit Church, Atlanta, and
the daughter of Willis and Sandra Jones of Atlanta.
In honor of Marists centennial commencement, longtime Marist
football coach Dean Hargis presented the W. Dean Hargis Award, which recognizes
a male and female senior who have made outstanding contributions to Marist
School through leadership, dedication and tenacity as participants for more
than one season in a varsity athletic program. This years recipients were
Michael Trapani and Heather Catlin. Trapani, son of Michael and Mary Jane
Trapani of Dunwoody, played on Marists baseball and football teams. He
will attend Georgia Tech. The Trapanis are members of All Saints Church.
Catlin, the daughter of Karen and Peter Catlin, was captain of the state
championship volleyball team and received the Coachs Award. She was also
a member of the track team and co-president of the upper school student
council. She will attend the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
During the graduation ceremony, two Marist alumni were honored for
their contributions to the school. Charles W. Harrison received the 2001
Distinguished Alumnus Award, which honors a graduate whose achievements in
business, civic and professional accomplishments are outstanding. Harrison was
valedictorian of the Marist Class of 1948 and attended Georgia Tech on an
academic scholarship. Twelve members of Harrisons family graduated from
Marist, including his father, James, and his brother, Father James L. Harrison
(46), pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Kennesaw.
George V. Belkofer Jr. (62) received the Rev. James L.
Hartnett, SM, Alumni Service Award, recognizing dedicated leadership, exemplary
and enduring service and loyalty to Marist School and the Marist Alumni
Association. He has made significant contributions to the Alumni Association,
serving as president from 1977-79 and again from 1996-97. He has been a class
representative for many years, served as a director on the Alumni
Associations board and is currently a member of the Alumni Leadership
Gift Committee. Belkofer is a member of the Atlanta Commercial Board of
Realtors Million Dollar Club and has received the Phoenix Award from the
Atlanta Board of Realtors. |