St. James Graduates Collect Diplomas, Awards

Twenty-five students graduated from the eighth grade at on Tuesday night in a ceremony for the school’s 98th graduating class.

The Rev. Dan Valentine led the Mass, and Sister Christy Hill and Sister Diane Cauley presented the graduates to the congregation.

Graduates collected diplomas as well as a medal of St. James the Greater, which Valentine blessed during the Mass.

In addition to diplomas, students received five awards during the ceremony.

Elizabeth Michalenko and Craig "CJ" Benzinger were selected by their classmates to receive the Legion Award, which is based on honor, patriotism, courage, scholarship, leadership and service.

St. James alumni Nick Giver presented the Sister Mary Dennis Award to Alexander Michalenko. This award is chosen by the faculty and presented to the student who has shown significant academic and spiritual progress throughout the years.

The Knights of Columbus Academic Achievement Award is given to the student with the highest grade average. This year’s recipient was Heidi Langhorst.

The Monsignor Must Award is presented to a student who displays Christian values through kindness and generosity and has a strong academic record. The 2011 award recipient was Cora Saftner.

Matthew Mezzio received the citizenship medal.

St. James offers classes from preschool through eighth grade.  Beginning in the fall, the eighth-grade graduates will attend various Catholic and public high schools.