Loyola Blakefield Celebrates 167th Commencement
"I’m happy to be graduating today, but I'm also sad to walk away from a place that has treated me and my classmates so well over these years. It's natural for a young boy to look up to a man older than himself, to use him as a role model. When I was young boy, I looked up to Loyola students. The young men behind me now have learned to be role models to the middle schoolers and the underclassmen on this campus. Our high school years have served us well, and we are ready to leave this campus for the next chapter of our lives." – Alex Breschi '19
Loyola Blakefield celebrated its 167th Commencement in the Hollow on Sunday, June 2, for the 37th consecutive year. It was a picturesque yet familiar scene as 183 Dons from the Class of 2019 filed into the Hollow in their white tuxedos preceeded by the Class of 1969, who returned to campus to celebrate their 50th Reunion Weekend. Friends, family, faculty, and staff were also in attendance on this sunny spring morning to witness these Dons' final steps towards becoming men for others. We heard opening remarks from Idris Mansaray, and this year's student speaker was Alex Breschi. You can watch the entire ceremony below.
Loyola Blakefield celebrated its 167th Commencement in the Hollow on Sunday, June 2, for the 37th consecutive year. It was a picturesque yet familiar scene as 183 Dons from the Class of 2019 filed into the Hollow in their white tuxedos preceeded by the Class of 1969, who returned to campus to celebrate their 50th Reunion Weekend. Friends, family, faculty, and staff were also in attendance on this sunny spring morning to witness these Dons' final steps towards becoming men for others. We heard opening remarks from Idris Mansaray, and this year's student speaker was Alex Breschi. You can watch the entire ceremony below.
The following awards were presented before the conferral of diplomas:
THE REV. FATHER LLOYD D. GEORGE, S.J. AWARD is presented to that member of the graduating class who has achieved the highest grade-point average through the mid-point of his senior year. This award was presented to Luke Ashwood Briggs.
THE REV. ANTHONY J. ZEITS, S.J. AWARD, presented by the Loyola Mothers’ Club to a Senior who has demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and leadership on and off the athletic field. This award was presented to Camden Mark Gilmore.
THE DOCTOR FORD LOKER AWARD is presented by the Loyola Fathers’ Club to a Senior who holds a varsity letter and is outstanding for academic excellence. This award was presented to Cole Francis Hendricks.
THE MATTHEW J. RUSSELL AWARD, established by the graduating Class of 1986, is presented to a Senior whose commitment to God, family and friends has been exemplified by a quiet, sensitive, and selfless concern for others. The recipient of this award was Francis David Andrews.
THE MICHAEL J. IAMPIERI AWARD was established to honor Mr. Michael Iampieri, a beloved member of the Loyola Blakefield faculty from 1966 to 2007. During his tenure, Mr. Iampieri founded the School’s art department and taught art to generations of young men over four decades. The Michael J. Iampieri Award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated personal and spiritual growth through his pursuit of creative self-expression and his achievements in the arts. This award was presented to Carter Ryan Vogel.
THE REV. JAMES F. SALMON, S.J., AWARD is presented to that graduate who has demonstrated leadership in student activities and scholarship in Science and Religious Studies. This year’s recipient was Ronald Henry Erdman.
REV. ALOYSIUS P. MCGONIGAL, S.J., was a chaplain whose extraordinary service to his fellow men ended with his death in Vietnam. The Rev. Aloysius P. McGonigal, S.J., Award is presented by the Loyola Fathers’ Club to a Senior who has worked to full capacity in and out of the classroom but has received little recognition for his tenacious spirit. The award was presented to Pujan Baral.
THE DENNIS B. WOOLFORD “CURA PERSONALIS” AWARD is given in loving memory of Dennis B. Woolford class of 2010. Although Dennis was a gifted athlete who started on 8 MIAA championship teams including the undefeated 2008 Football team, Dennis will always be remembered for his kind heart, free spirit and a smile that would light up the room. He considered every Don his best friend and every teammate his brother. This award is given to a student or faculty member of Loyola Blakefield who best represents "care for the individual person." This award was presented to Jeffrey Michael Snider & Mr. Keith Schertle.
THE JOHN H. WEETENKAMP III AWARD is presented to a graduating senior who has been caring to his peers and demonstrated dedication to the mission of Loyola Blakefield. He is a young man who has embodied the words of Saint Ignatius by his actions and has served his fellow Dons and others generously through the Campus Ministry and Service programs as well as other opportunities. The recipient of this award was Benjamin Joseph Breschi.
THE LOYOLA ALUMNI AWARD is presented to the Senior who is most conspicuous for school spirit, leadership and excellence in studies. The recipient of this award was Alexander Timothy Breschi.
THE DAVID A. KENNEDY AWARD was established by the Alumni Association to honor Mr. David A. Kennedy, teacher and registrar at Loyola from 1937 to 1977. This award is presented annually to that member of the graduating class who, through unselfish contribution of academic skills, personal talents, and social values in service to Loyola Blakefield and to the community at large, best embodies the Ignatian principle of “men for others.” This award was presented to Benjamin Grady Gallagher.
THE LOYOLA AWARD, founded in honor of the Rev. John F. Dustin, S.J., is awarded to the most representative member of the graduating class for excellence in scholastic achievement and participation in extra-curricular activities. This award was presented to Graham Matthew Lindner.
