Graduation Speakers at Newman Guide Schools Inspire Joyful Minds and Hearts
“Graduation is always a solemn and festive occasion at The Lyceum. Having completed a rigorous liberal arts high school curriculum which includes up to six years of Latin and Greek and the readings of good and great books, our seniors will enthusiastically celebrate with joyful hearts and minds,” explained Luke Macik, headmaster of The Lyceum in South Euclid, Ohio. After their final theology exam, seniors enjoy a fine banquet with faculty, which is prepared by the junior class, and perform one last time on stage in Shakespeare comedy.
“The following morning, the seniors will sing one last time with The Lyceum Schola Cantorum at a Divine Liturgy. As is our custom after the final Mass or Liturgy of the year, but before the graduation ceremony, our Schola Cantorum, which consists of the entire student body and most of the faculty, will raise their voices in joyous thanks singing Handel’s Hallelujah chorus.”
The Lyceum, which is recommended on The Newman Guide’s growing list of Recommended Schools, has made the excellent choice to invite Fr. Deacon Kyle Washut, president of Wyoming Catholic College in Lander, WY, to serve as graduation speaker.
To become Newman Guide Recommended, we review an institution’s policy on speakers and honors. A Newman Guide Recommended school invites speakers, hosts events, and honors individuals to advance its mission of forming young people in truth.
Below are some of the speakers that Newman Guide Recommended schools have chosen to provide a graduation address. Many are leaders in Catholic education and witnesses to the Catholic faith.
Everest Collegiate High School & Academy (Clarkston, MI)
Jonathan Berry, solicitor for the Department of Labor, is serving as the graduation speaker at Everest Collegiate High School and Academy. “In line with our mission of forming Catholic Christian leaders, we look to provide our graduates with encouragement and wisdom from faithful individuals whose lives reflect integrity, excellence, and commitment to the common good,” said Greg Reichert, headmaster and high school principal at Everest. “Mr. Berry’s many accomplishments in the areas of law and public policy make him an inspiring model for our students.”
Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage, AK)
Dr. Kate Bazin, director of evangelization at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Anchorage, AK, is serving as the graduation speaker at Holy Rosary Academy. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Dallas in Irving, TX, and earned post-graduate degrees, including a Doctor of Education at the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. “She is a great choice for our school because of her deep love of literature, as evidenced by her photography blog, her love of beauty in the natural world, her tireless work at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, where three of our graduates attend, and her educational background from UD and UMary,” said Marie-Louise Shirda, principal of Holy Rosary.
Immaculata Classical Academy (Louisville, KY)
Patrick Reilly, president and founder of The Cardinal Newman Society, is serving as the graduation speaker at Immaculata Classical Academy. “A few months ago, I announced that we had received national recognition as a Newman Guide Recommended school. Along with our NAPCIS (National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools) reaccreditation, this is an important milestone for Immaculata in the national Catholic landscape,” explained Justin Fout, principal at Immaculata. “I am very happy to announce that Patrick Reilly will be our commencement speaker to honor and mark this wonderful occasion for the class of 2026.”
Kingswood Academy (Darien, IL)
Joseph Marchese, the mayor of Darien, IL, is serving as the graduation speaker for eighth graders at Kingswood Academy. “He is a former teacher and lifelong Catholic,” said Dominic Sepich, principal of Kingswood.
Kolbe Academy (Online)
Steve Minnis, president of Benedictine College in Atchison, KS, is serving as the graduation speaker for Kolbe Academy graduates. “President Steven Minnis represents the kind of Catholic leadership we hope our students encounter as they continue their education,” said Mary Rowles, CEO of Kolbe. “His work at Benedictine reflects the same commitment to academic excellence and faithful formation that we strive to support at Kolbe.”
The Lyceum (South Euclid, OH)
Fr. Deacon Kyle Washut, president of Wyoming Catholic College in Lander, WY, is serving as the graduation speaker for The Lyceum. Wyoming Catholic College “forms students through a rigorous immersion in the primary sources of the classical liberal arts tradition, the grandeur of the mountain wilderness, and the spiritual heritage of the Catholic Church,” said Luke Macik, headmaster at The Lyceum. “President Washut is therefore the perfect graduation speaker for The Lyceum which provides an education that proceeds from an integration of faith and reason.”
Mount Royal Academy (Sunapee, NH)
Ambrose Bean, humanities teacher and academic advisor at Mount Royal Academy, is serving as the school’s graduation speaker. “Ambrose Bean is a graduate of Ave Maria University and is a model evangelist,” said Derek Tremblay, headmaster of Mount Royal Academy. “He leads the OCIA program at a local parish and lives the Salesian Way of our mission by establishing excellent rapport with students, yet challenging them to ascend to the Truth that is the person of Jesus Christ. Mr. Bean was chosen by the students because they sense his love for the Catholic faith and all of God’s children.”
St. Benedict Catholic School (Richmond, VA)
Sean Cruess, principal of St. Benedict Catholic School, is delivering a brief graduation speech for the graduating eighth graders on “The Adventure of Living a Fully Christian Life.” There is a Baccalaureate Mass for graduates, and 6th and 7th-grade students sing in the choir. For the graduation, students wear gowns but no caps, tassels or other ornaments—saving those for high school graduation.
St. Ignatius Catholic School (Kaukauna, WI)
Fr. Tom Pomeroy, pastor of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Oconto Falls, WI, is serving as the graduation speaker for St. Ignatius Catholic School. “Fr. Pomeroy was the leader and architect in reinvigorating the faithful Catholic identity of St. Ignatius and transforming it into a classical school,” said Drew Mulloy, headmaster of St. Ignatius.
St. Joseph’s Catholic School (Greenville, SC)
Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS., of Charleston, S.C., is serving as the graduation speaker for St. Joseph Catholic School. “Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune is an exceptional role model who beautifully embodies Saint Joseph’s core principle of affirming the infinite worth and dignity of every person,” said Michelle Curran, director of marketing at St. Joseph’s. “His lifelong ministry with the Scalabrinian Fathers serves as a powerful, real-world example of living out a missionary outlook and Christ-centered service. Fluent in five languages and deeply committed to listening to the youth, he models for our graduating seniors how to step out into an ever-evolving world with an open vision, a compassionate heart, and a steadfast faith.”
St. William of York Catholic School (Stafford, VA)
Fr. Daniel Reuwer, chaplain of Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, VA, is serving as the graduation speaker for eighth graders at St. William of York Catholic School. The speaker choice is a homecoming of sorts. “Prior to entering the seminary, he was a middle school teacher at our school!” said Jennifer Schiller, principal of St. William of York.
True Cross Catholic School (Dickinson, TX)
Fr. Ricardo Arriola, pastor of Shrine of the True Cross Catholic Church and School in Dickinson, TX, is serving as graduation speaker for True Cross Catholic School. “Fr. Ricardo Arriola is the ideal speaker for our graduation because he has been a faithful spiritual leader and visible presence in the life of our school community, consistently encouraging our students to grow in wisdom, virtue, and devotion to Our Lady,” said Amanda Smith, principal of True Cross. “Through his leadership, our students are blessed with weekly Adoration and Confession, liturgical feast day celebrations and processions, and a deeper understanding of Catholic traditions and practices. His guidance and support of our mission to form students in faith and reason make him especially fitting to address our graduates as they prepare for their next chapter.”
Check back to this page regularly, as we will continue to provide updates.