Burke Catholic H.S. Celebrates the Class of 2019

NEWBURGH – Family and friends of John S. Burke Catholic High School’s 100 graduating seniors gathered at Mount Saint Mary College on Saturday, June 1, to celebrate the commencement ceremony for the high school’s Class of 2019.

Burke Catholic has maintained a graduation rate of 100 percent, among the highest in Orange County. Graduating students will be pursuing undergraduate degrees at the likes of Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Pennsylvania State University, among others. Combined, the students received approximately $14.5 million in scholarship money.

“We are very proud of this year’s graduating class,” said Janice Clark, Principal for Academics.

“Not only have they excelled academically, they have demonstrated themselves to be a class full of leaders, community stewards, and philanthropists.”

The two-hour-long ceremony included speeches from the Class of 2019 valedictorian Anna Henderson and salutatorian Jenny Lawless as well as commencement speaker Burke Catholic alumnus (Class of 2000) Dr. Chris Dillon, Assistant Superintendent of Finance for the Levittown School District.

Henderson, who plans to study computer science at Cornell University’s College of Engineering in the fall, remembers her time at Burke Catholic fondly.

“Burke prepared me to be a leader as well as a diligent student. There, I learned how to work with others and take responsibility. I also was able to spend the last four years with a group of people who differ in their unique interests but are eager to reach their goals,” she said.

“My class will take the values of respect, passion, integrity, and collaboration strengthened by Burke with us as we leave. The lessons we learned inside and outside the classroom will help us to succeed in our future endeavors.”

“For me, Burke was more than just a place of learning – it brought together a group of individuals four years ago and transformed them into a community. Burke instilled in us that not just words matter, but actions matter as well,” added Salutatorian Jenny Lawless who is enrolled in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s computer science program. “As a graduating class, I could not think of a better way to prepare us as we all move into the next chapter of our lives. For Burke Catholic, ‘Non Vox Sed Votum’ – ‘Not Words but Deeds’ is a lifelong lesson.”

John Douthit, Principal for Operations, reflects on his time with this year’s graduating class.

“Each year, I continue to be impressed by the accomplishments of our students. The Class of 2019 possesses a level of brightness that amazes me and I have no doubt each of our seniors will embark on a lifetime of successes as BC alumni,” he said. “I look forward to following along as they continue to grow as young adults and professionals.”

To learn more about John S. Burke Catholic High School, visit www.BurkeCatholic.com.