Trinity Hall Holds Seventh Commencement Ceremony
The Class of 2023 graduated this past weekend at the OceanFirst Bank Center.
On June 4, 2023, Trinity Hall’s seventh commencement ceremony celebrated the Class of 2023 at the OceanFirst Bank Center at Monmouth University. Trinity Hall’s board of trustees, faculty, staff, family and friends gathered to honor the accomplishments of the 66 graduates.
Salutatorian Reece Jones, who will attend the University of Virginia next year, started the ceremony with the invocation: “Thank you for giving us the opportunity and the space to properly convene a high-spirited celebration of the Trinity Hall Class of 2023. Through your everlasting grace and steadfastness, we are gifted with this assembly of remarkable young women, their sweeping academic, athletic, and artistic accomplishments, and, most essentially, good cheer! By your benevolence - especially as a warm beam of sunlight in the tumultuous shade of our first few years - we have been given the environment to blossom into the capable, bright minds seen before you. You have given us, in equal parts, aptitude and serendipity, for which we offer our sincerest gratitude.”
Valedictorian Isabelle Darman, who will attend Georgetown University next year, shared her remarks, including a poem from her AP Literature class that reminds us of the glory of being a part of something bigger and beautiful: “As we grew together, we realized these subtle moments of community taught us that for one of us to succeed, we all had to succeed. We each cared about our own success - and we cared about one another’s as well. Because we trusted each other, we honored our hopes and dreams - especially during our college process. Now, as our time at Trinity Hall comes to a close, I hope we can all take the best parts of Trinity Hall and our sisterhood with us to our next adventure. As we head off to college, whether it’s simply helping a future classmate with homework, remembering our capabilities and having the courage to take up space and to speak openly in a classroom full of boys, or dedicating ourselves to our academic passions, by being part of the class of 2023 at Trinity Hall, we were all changed for the good… Before I go I would like to say, thank you all for letting me be a part of something beautiful. I know it was all worth it.”
The Class of 2023 heard from commencement speaker Father Peter Donohue, the President of Villanova University. Father Peter began his speech by celebrating the resilience the Class of 2023 displayed throughout their high school years, especially during a pandemic. Speaking about the future, Father Peter advised the students to focus on the “whole person” as they better understand themselves and others as they find their place in the world. Father Peter honored the life of his sister Denise as he talked about her passion for people and her ability to find joy in everyday life.
“[Denise] always called us to be concerned about people, to value them for who they were… Her life was simple. It was a life that I hope – and wish – all of us could find. There was a time she came to visit when I was doing my doctoral program at the University of Illinois… When I showed her my office/guest room, it wasn’t to her liking. The furniture needed to be rearranged the way she liked it… Well, I moved everything. I got the bed to the window. I said, ‘Okay, are you happy?’ She replied, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘Why is this so important to you?' and she said, ‘I count the stars in the dark and now I know it will be a good day.’ Following that night, I often reflect on the nights I get into bed, worrying about all kinds of things or what happened or what needs to be done. The last thing I ever think about are the stars. But Denise had to count the stars to ensure tomorrow would be a good day. I pray that as Trinity Hall graduates you will continue to serve and find ways to empower people. Become the stars that other people count on in the darkness, and each day will be a good day.”
Every year, Trinity Hall’s board of trustees recognizes a member of the community with the Founders Award. The award recipient is an individual or a group whose commitment to the success of Trinity Hall mirrors the dedication of the Founders. This year’s Founder Awards recipient is Allison Berry Wagner, whose family accepted the award in her memory. Allison Berry Wagner was a founding board member who was an instrumental part in the establishment of Trinity Hall and whose tireless work and contributions helped build the school that stands today.
Congratulations to the Class of 2023! May God continue to bless you!
Watch the full ceremony here: Graduation Livestream