ATLANTA—Marist 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 school’s 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 Marist’s 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 dean’s 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 dean’s 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 school’s 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, Marist’s 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 dean’s 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 Archbishop’s 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 Marist’s 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 year’s recipients were Michael Trapani and Heather Catlin. Trapani, son of Michael and Mary Jane Trapani of Dunwoody, played on Marist’s 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 Coach’s 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 Harrison’s 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 Association’s 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.