One hundred thirty students participated in the 99th graduation from Bethlehem Catholic HS June 4. Graduates and guests will always remember that it was an unusually warm June evening one of those unexpected but miserably heavy hot humid evenings. Commencement bulletins doubled as fans, jackets and blazers were abandoned, shirtsleeves were rolled up.

Yet once Main St. Blues played the first chords of “Pomp and Circumstance,” the heat was no longer a focus. Flag bearers Leah Bender, Ava Burkart, Angelina Fekula and Michael Onorato led their peers into the auditorium to their seats. The 2025 graduation for Bethlehem Catholic seniors had begun

Principal Dr. Dean Donaher introduced and announced the class valedictorian Ava Burkart. Ava will be attending The University of Miami and was the recipient of the Presidential scholarship. The salutatorian of the 2025 class is Judy Pintor. She will be attending Lehigh University and was the recipient of the Trustee Merit Scholarship.

Pintor gave the first of two student addresses. She reminded her peers of how far they have come. Like baby birds, they needed to be nurtured and encouraged to mature. They learned new things, had new adventures and experienced some setbacks, but they continued moving forward. With the support of their families, teachers, and peers, she said, they’ve made it to this momentous occasion, “soaring like a Golden Hawk.”

The Top 10 scholars of the class were recognized and given their diplomas by Assistant to the Principal Amy Solano. These students are Sarah Banko, Leah Bender, Ava Burkart, Zoe Davis, Sarah Gowelll, Tyler Lennert, Sarina Patel, Judy Pintor, Rhys Santiago and Ruth Tocci. Ruth Tocci and Rhys Santiago were named Bishop Scholars.

Santiago gave the second of the two student addresses to his class. He stressed the importance of relationships, especially the relationship one has with God. He reminded his peers that it is the strength of these relationships that will help them to overcome adversity. He also reflected on the importance of the journey and reminded his fellow graduates that the goal isn’t everything.

Daviana Jones was honored as the Female Athlete of the Year and Shane McFillian was honored as Male Athlete of the Year. Jones will be attending DeSales University as a criminal justice major. She is also a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship and the Just Born Scholarship. McFillian will be attending Bucknell University.

We invite Bethlehem Catholic graduates, family and friends to send us a photo with captions of your graduation day.