Courtesy photo The 20 graduates in the class of 2019 are, top row from left, Mari Bink, Julian Cashen, Lily Derkos, Matthew Dykema, Nick Hamlin, Emma Hughes, Christina Kane, Olivia LeMire, Grace Livingston, and Cody Nelson. Shown in the bottom row from left are, Jacob Polishak, Salutatorian Carney Salo, Cierra Scott, Tyler Smith, Veronica Spreitzer, Evan St. Peter, Katelyn Stalboerger, Valedictorian Grace Sviland, Lukas Weaver, and Dawson Williams.

ESCANABA — Holy Name Catholic School celebrated the eighth grade class of 2019 on Tuesday evening, June 4 with a special Mass at St. Anne’s Church celebrated by Father Fran DeGroot and concelebrated by Father Rick Courier, Father Eric Olson, Father Jamie Ziminski, and assisted by Deacon Terry Saunders. Following Mass, a graduation ceremony was held in the Holy Name Catholic School gymnasium.

At the ceremony, Class Valedictorian Grace Sviland gave the commencement address, sharing memories and advice for her fellow classmates. Sviland also thanked family members and friends for their support.

HNCS Principal Joseph Carlson also addressed the class, telling them, “This class has been given the gift of faith. In the end, it is faith and family that matter.”

Father Eric Olson, who has been pastor of St. Joseph and St. Patrick’s Parish in Escanaba for 13 years, gave the final blessing at the graduation ceremony, and was honored for his nine years of service as Pastoral Delegate to Holy Name Catholic School. Father Olson is retiring this July.

At the graduation ceremony, all of the graduates were given Holy Bibles as graduation gifts with their class Bible verse bookmarked, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9.

Holy Name Catholic School, located at 409 So. 22nd Street, is currently offering open registration to students for the 2019-2020 school year. Call the school office at 786-7550 for more information.