Catholic high schools graduate 455 students
Members of the Charlotte Catholic High School Class of 2022 are all smiles during a baccalaureate Mass offered at St. Matthew Church May 24. (SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald) CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte now has four high schools that, this year, bid farewell to 455 graduates in the Class of 2022.
Canongate Catholic High School near Asheville officially joined the diocesan Catholic Schools system in May. An affiliate school, this small high school is the 20th Catholic school within the diocese and offers a classical education.
The four graduates of Canongate were recognized at Mass and a graduation ceremony June 4.
“I’m pleased that each of these seniors has started to form a clear vision for their lives based on the support they have received from their families and Canongate teachers,” said Canongate Principal Sedrick Dellinger.
“Academically, they have worked hard, yet my admiration for them regards how each of them has overcome a serious personal obstacle to get where they are today. I’m very proud of them, and I think they are ready for an adventure,” he said.
Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville graduated 85 seniors in the Class of 2022 on May 27. Eighty-three of the graduates will be going on to college.
They earned more than $8 million in scholarships at 43 universities and colleges. Seven of the BMHS graduates will go on to play sports in college.
Dr. Jared Rashford, head of school, said, “The Class of 2022 is a tenacious group of young men and women that have persevered through a series of disruptions to the traditional high school experience. The class has come together in their final year to support one another and will leave a legacy of leadership, success, and personal and collective growth as sons and daughters of God.”
Charlotte Catholic High School graduated 283 seniors on May 27. Of the graduates, 274 will be going on to 93 colleges and universities. They earned more than $23.470 million in scholarships. Twenty-one students will go on to play sports in college.
“I am extremely proud of the Class of 2022. They had to pivot many times since March of 2020 because of COVID. The Class of 2022 has been resilient despite the many challenges they have faced,” said Principal Kurt Telford.
On June 1, Christ the King High School in Huntersville conferred diplomas on 83 graduates of the Class of 2022. All 83 graduates will attend college. They earned more than $9.597 million in scholarships. One graduate will go on to play sports in college.
“I am so proud of this graduating class,” said Dr. Carl Semmler, principal. “They have demonstrated time and time again that they have the grit to succeed. If you think about it, they are our first class to graduate that has fully weathered the beginning, middle and end of the pandemic. They completed this Exodus with style and grace.”
Bishop Peter Jugis extended his best wishes to the Class of 2022, stating, “I am proud of all the graduates of our Catholic high schools. I pray that our graduates will proclaim the Kingdom of Christ by the witness of their lives.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
