Reaching new milestones

The 28 graduating seniors of the Archbishop Bergan High School Class of 2008 were praised for reaching milestones that few before had.

That was the sentiment from principal Ron Beacom and the Rev. Owen Korte, senior pastor at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, which sponsors the school. Commencement exercises were held Saturday night at the church.

Beacom called the students "a very competitive group" with a vast range of abilities that included athletes, artists, actors and musicians.

The 2008 boys Class D-1 basketball title was highlighted among accomplishments, but Beacom said the title wasn’t the only accomplishment.

"This class will be remembered as being outstanding role models," he said.

Beacom also pointed out some statistics about the Class of 2008.

* All of the students plan to attend college.

* The 28 students plan to separate to 19 colleges in eight states.

* Fifty percent of the class has earned college credits in at least one course while in high school.

* Twenty-five of the students were offered scholarships from organizations outside of Bergan.

* The class has been offered more than $1.2 million in scholarships (nearly $800,000 in athletic scholarships).

* The class has accepted nearly $500,000 in scholarships as of Friday.

Korte referred to graduation as one of the many exchanges of endings and beginnings.

"Endings and beginnings go together," he said. "You’re ending high school, and now it is time to move on. Your world has changed since you entered high school. It’s an uncertain world. You have a lot of growing up to do, but that will come."

He reminded them of the day on Sept. 11, 2001, when he had them come together and told them of the attack on the World Trade Center in New York.

"I told you it was time for us to come together and to pray," he said.

Korte also told students that while they are responsible for themselves they are not responsible solely for themselves. But they are also responsible for others around them.

While they leave high school with as much guidance and encouragement that can be given to them by parents, teachers and others in their lives, their lives still have to take form, he said.

"Your trajectory is not so set that what you were in high school is what you are meant to be," Korte continued. "Our mission has never been to graduate finished products or saints."

Class salutatorian Katelyn Exstrom explained how some of that guidance and encouragement has helped her.

"I came to this school six years ago not knowing anything about any of you and not knowing the religion," said Exstrom, adding that she’s glad she was given the chance to attend Bergan.

Like her leap into a Catholic school system that she didn’t know, life is filled with opportunities "to spread our wings," she said.

"Sometimes we have to leap with our eyes shut and hope we land on our feet. Sometimes we can leap with eyes open and truly soar."