St. Peter's Girls High School graduates 37 at its final ceremony

Earlier this year the Archdiocese of New York announced the 94-year-old New Brighton institution would be closing at the end of the academic year due to declining enrollment.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- They will always be Eagles in their hearts.

The 37 young women of the Class of 2011 who received their diplomas this morning have the bittersweet distinction of being the last graduating class of St. Peter's Girls High School.

Earlier this year the Archdiocese of New York announced the 94-year-old New Brighton institution would be closing at the end of the academic year due to declining enrollment. And while faculty, parents and the 3,500-strong Alumnae Association labored mightily to stave off the closing, a campaign to raise $1 million fell short.

There were tears, goodbye hugs, and plenty of group photos snapped for posterity, but Principal Paula T. McKeown said the commencement ceremony in St. Peter's R.C. Church was simply about celebrating. "We are focusing on the positive. This is a proud moment of accomplishment for the graduating class and nothing should overshadow that," she said.

Ironically, the Class of 2011 racked up more than $2.5 million in college scholarships, an average of $78,000 per student, she said. Several of the graduates received multiple scholarship offers from various colleges and universities. "It's a tribute to the girls, their parents, and our teachers and staff who prepared them these four years," Mrs. McKeown said. "They're going out with a bang."

The principal, who choked back tears at the podium, said in the school's nearly-century long history it has graduated more than 9,000 young women, many of whom went on to local and national prominence as doctors, lawyers, business executives.

 "St. Peter's girls have a tremendous amount of spirit," Ms. McKeown said, "and they don't need a building for that."

 "These girls, especially the Class of 2011, will always be Eagles in their hearts," she said.

Valedictorian Kelsey Geisler, who will attend Elmira (N.Y.) College on a four-year scholarship, told classmates that "while we are closing the book of St. Peter's today, the chapters of our lives will continue to unfold as we reflect on the pages we've turned so far.¤.¤.and knowing, as we turn the next pages, we will tackle adversity with courage and soar as Eagles."

Christine Kline, the salutatorian, who is bound for Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., reminded classmates that "St. Peter's will have a lasting impact in all of our lives."  

 "It has helped us become who we are today, and who we are going to be in the future."

But the last words were reserved for Monsignor James Dorney, pastor of St. Peter's parish since 1986 and co-vicar of Staten Island Catholics. The pastor made it a point to greet every student by name, with a smile each morning, as they arrived for classes. In his final blessing upon the new graduates, Monsignor Dorney told the girls to "Go with God" and "Know that I do -- I will -- always -- love you."

Here is a list of graduates of the Class of 2011:

Fatima Baro, Victoria Elizabeth Brooks, Brianna Marie Bunnicelli, Megan Elizabeth Burns, Janessa V. Cabrera, Brianna Rose Cancel, Shpresa Capric, Megan Collins, Nicole Connor, Nicole M. DiMeglio, Justine Geniva Ford, Taylor Marianna Garda, Kelsey Anita Geisler, Sasha Stephanie George, Leona Stephanie Goodman, Samantha Ventrice Grant, Veronica P. Grillo, Michele Guido, Yaritza C. Huertas, Tryphena A. Kaliku, Christine M. Kline, Paulina Grace Lopez, Amanda Marretta, Antonette Mary Martucci, Eunice Matos, Kelly Ann McGarrigle, Alyssa Marie Marcinak, Ashley Motrechuk, Kelly A. Otchet, Raquel Pasquarello, Bianca Carla Rodriguez, Maria Theresa Romagnano, Jillianne M. Sabatini, Kalema Jasmine Santiago, Leanna Rose Senzino, Amanda Nicole Sgambati, Jasmine Olivia Sledge.