The sounds of pomp and circumstance filled the air of the school commons area on Monday, May 21 as eleven students from the Jesuit Middle School of Omaha (JMSO) graduated from the eighth grade.  A dinner and celebration followed the hour-long ceremony that was attended by approximately 130 people.  This is the seventh graduating class in school history.  

 

The ceremony opened with a welcome by Student Council President Patrick O’Garro, followed by an opening prayer from Fr. Jim Michalski, S.J., President of JMSO, which included a responsorial format using all of the graduate’s names.  Following the prayer, a heart-felt reflection was read by Chuma Nnawulezi—a student who has been at JMSO since fourth grade.

 

Those in attendance were wowed with a moving commencement address from Roxanne Netemeyer, former JMSO teacher and current Principal of St. John/Holy Family School in Shawnee, Kansas.  She told the students to always remember their time at Jesuit as one of the best experiences in their lives and to “go with God.”  She also said to the parents that sending their son to Jesuit was the best decision they have ever made.  

 

School guidance counselor Tony Phillip was another stand-out performer of the evening, as he sang an acapella version of R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly” to the students of JMSO.  Soon after, he sang an accompanied version of Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful,” as the young men presented roses to their mothers and grandmothers.  

 

Presentation of the graduates was given by eighth grade teacher Brian Lindley, followed by the awarding of diplomas by Principal Tony Connelly and Fr. Jim.  The Ignation Award of Excellence was then given to Chuma Nnawulezi for his commitment to the five pillars of Jesuit education:  Gospel Values, Academic Excellence, Self Discipline, Religious Diversity and Men for Others.  The ceremony ended with a closing prayer, written and read by Charles Langer.  

 

Congratulations to the class of 2007 as they head to metro-area high schools:  Jared Barnes, Creighton Prep; Ashton Beck, Creighton Prep;  Kevon Gause, St. Peter Claver; Charles Langer, Roncalli; Chuma Nnawulezi, Creighton Prep; Tre Sacks, Millard South; Tre Fulkerson, Northwest; Tre Sean Harris-Ruff, Creighton Prep; Kegan McGuire, Roncalli; Patrick O’Garro, Creighton Prep and Eric Donald, Creighton Prep.  

 

A special thank you to: the students and staff members of JMSO who worked very hard make the school look wonderful; to the parents of the seventh grade class and the Jerry and Cheryl McKay family for their hard work prior to and following the ceremony and to Choir Director Dede Johnson for her piano accompaniment throughout the ceremony.