North Catholic sends off 83rd graduating class
CRANBERRY TWP — Over 200 students at North Catholic High School turned their tassels on Friday night, May 23, at the commencement ceremony for the school’s class of 2025, held at the Cahouet Auditorium on campus.
“It’s a mix of emotions,” said vice principal John Benzing. “There’s sadness to see some of these kids I’ve been with for four years and watch grow into the young adults that they are, to know that they’re not going to be here next year ... but I’m also excited because they’re going to go off to bigger and better things, and I’m proud of every one of them.”
In the commencement program, over 100 schools are listed as destinations for graduating North Catholic students, from local schools to universities as far away as California. Mary Maloney, who led the seniors upstairs into the auditorium before the ceremony, is headed to Duquesne to study health sciences.
“I’m feeling excitement, nostalgia, sadness and happiness,” Maloney said.
“There’s lots to figure out and a lot you have to learn how to do, and you’ve really just got to know how to take on life now,” said James Totin, who says he intends to go to the Allegheny County Police Academy.
During the ceremony, Zeb Jansante, who is now completing his first year as principal of North Catholic, encouraged his new graduates to be bold and take risks in their new lives.
“There’s a simple quote I’ve used over the many years, and it’s something that I came up with,” Jansante said. “’Some say that life is full of opportunities. I say you make your own.’ That's something I want each of you to carry with you as you go forward. Don't wait for doors to open. Go build the door.”
Jansante also thanked the class of 2025 for welcoming him with open arms in his first year as principal.
“From the very first day I stepped on this campus as your principal, you welcomed me with open arms,” Jansante said. “Whenever I saw Members of this class in the hallways, I always received a warm smile and a hello. That might seem like a little thing, but it really did matter. It tells me who you are. It tells me what kind of people you are becoming.”
This year’s class had not one, but two valedictorians, both named Julia — Julia Riley and Julia Schaarsmith. Coincidentally, both Julias will be attending the University of Notre Dame. During her co-valedictorian speech, Schaarsmith offered some advice for those still at North Catholic, including her sister, Kate, who will be a sophomore next year.
“We are more than students. Our character is not outlined on a transcript,” Schaarsmith said. “The most important thing we accomplished in high school was becoming the people we are right now.”
A special shoutout was given to three of this year’s graduates, who chose to pursue military service after high school. Matthew White is headed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, while Luke Lamb is headed to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, and Nathan Melendez has enlisted in the U.S. Army.
“These young men will soon trade cap and gown for uniform and oath of enlistment,” said Joshua Murphy, incoming president of the Western Pennsylvania West Point Society. “They're not simply crossing the stage tonight. They're crossing the threshold into a lifetime of selfless service to this nation.”
