Takoma Park: Congratulations, Class of 2019!

By Tim Dodds, DBCR Outreach Assistant

(Takoma Park, MD – June 3) – Commencement and pre-commencement happenings at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School & Corporate Work-Study Program involved the Class of 2019 in the school’s four founding principles: faith, family, future, and fun.

First, on May 23 each graduate-to-be took part in the annual Senior-Parent Dinner & Awards Ceremony, celebrated this year at College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center on the campus of the University of Maryland. The special night was filled with smiles, laughter, and tears as Principal Elias Blanco announced a new award, the Rob E. Smith Scholarship Awards. Robert Smith, a long-time teacher and mentor at DBCR, was beloved by both students and staff as he wholly embodied the mission to care for the whole student. He passed away in April after a long battle with cancer. Leonel Cuello and Grace Ouabo were the inaugural recipients of the annual award.

The following night, the seniors attended their prom at the University of Maryland’s Alumni Center in College. The students displayed their best selves while wearing fine-fitting tuxes and gorgeous gowns. It was a memorable night celebrating the friendships formed over the years.

On Wednesday, May 29, Washington’s Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory presided at DBCR’s Baccalaureate Mass (see separate article) in the crypt church of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. (The Washington Archdiocese co-sponsors DBCR with the Salesians of Don Bosco.) As a graduation gift from the school, each senior received a new Bible to remind them to keep God at the center of their lives as they leave DBCR.

Finally, graduation day came on May 30. Family, faculty, staff, corporate sponsors, board members, and, of course, students, nearly filled the upper church of the National Shrine as the 69 seniors received both their diplomas and high praise from commencement speakers and guests.

Like DBCR’s eight previous graduating classes, each member of the Class of 2019 was accepted into at least one four-year university or college. Valedictorian Yakelin Aparicio and salutatorian Tetu Njah both plan on attending Georgetown University in the fall, while Cesar Cisneros, another academic high-achiever, will attend Cornell University.

Don Bosco Cristo Rey & Corporate Work-Study Program succeeds thanks to a strong corps of teachers and staff who guide the young men and women in their studies and generous corporate sponsors who mentor students at their work-study jobs.