St. Thomas Aquinas High School Celebrates the Class of 2026 at Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremony

St. Thomas Aquinas High School proudly celebrated the graduation of 144 seniors during its Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremony held on June 4 at the Church of the Sacred Heart in South Plainfield. Surrounded by family, friends, faculty, clergy, and supporters, the Class of 2026 marked the culmination of four years defined by faith, scholarship, service, friendship, and personal growth.

The celebration began with the Baccalaureate Mass, offering graduates an opportunity to reflect on their time at St. Thomas Aquinas and prepare spiritually for the next chapter of their lives.

In his homily, Rev. David E. Keyes, Vice Principal for Catholic Mission, challenged graduates to embrace their future with courage and purpose while remaining grounded in their faith. Drawing upon the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas and recent reflections from Pope Leo XIV, Father Keyes encouraged students to remain "profoundly human" in an increasingly technological world and reminded them that they are not merely leaving St. Thomas Aquinas but are being sent forth on a mission to serve others, seek truth, and live faithfully.

Reflecting on his own relationship with the class, Father Keyes noted that many of the graduates were among the first students he taught at St. Thomas Aquinas. He encouraged them to build upon the foundation of faith, character, and truth they had developed during their high school years and to become individuals who illuminate the world through wisdom, integrity, and compassion.

Following the Mass, graduates processed into the commencement ceremony, where Class Moderator Mr. Vincenzo Dama '14 proudly announced each member of the Class of 2026. Diplomas were conferred by Very Rev. Jonathan S. Toborowsky, Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Metuchen.

The accomplishments of the Class of 2026 reflect excellence across academics, athletics, the arts, leadership, and service. Collectively, the class earned more than 683 college acceptance letters and was awarded over $37 million in scholarships. Graduates achieved an average GPA of 3.68 and an average SAT score of 1110. Twenty-three percent of the class committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level, while the class accumulated more than 22,000 hours of community service throughout their four years at St. Thomas Aquinas.

The ceremony also recognized the academic achievements of the Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian.

Valedictorian Priya Hawaldar will attend Fordham University this fall, where she plans to major in Neuroscience and Philosophy. In her address, Hawaldar reflected on the relationships and values that shaped her class throughout their high school journey.

"If we are each a mosaic of our experiences, then the Class of 2026 is itself a grand, unique mosaic. And what this mosaic provides us is not a tapestry of the future, but the values that define us, and will continue to define us after we leave here today."

Salutatorian Sofia Bertocci will attend Purdue University this fall to study Computer Engineering. Drawing inspiration from Enlightenment philosopher John Locke's concept of the tabula rasa, Bertocci reflected on how the people and experiences encountered throughout life help shape individual identity.

"Our interests, values, perspectives, and habits have come from those around us and combined in their own unique way for each of us, so while the familiar aspects of our high school years may not physically be there, the imprints left within each of our souls will never fade."

As the graduates received their diplomas and turned their tassels, the ceremony celebrated not only academic achievement but also the formation of young men and women prepared to lead lives of faith, service, and purpose.

The St. Thomas Aquinas High School Class of 2026 leaves behind a lasting legacy of excellence and enters the future equipped with the values, knowledge, and character to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

As Father Keyes reminded the graduates during his homily, "The world is changing, but Christ is not. Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever."

With faith as their foundation and limitless opportunities ahead, the Class of 2026 now begins the next chapter of their journey.