Alumnus Brigadier General Timothy E. Trainor ’79 is Commencement Speaker at Don Bosco Prep’s 97th Commencement Exercises
June 4, 2012 –Brigadier General Timothy E. Trainor, a Don Bosco Prep alumnus who is the Dean of the Academic Board at The United States Military Academy at West Point, was the principal speaker at the exercises of Don Bosco Prep’s 97th Commencement on Sunday June 4, at the school’s campus in Ramsey, NJ.
Under beautiful, sunny blue skies, General Trainor, a member of the Class of 1979, addressed the graduates, “I discovered at Bosco that learning is important and the intellectual foundation built at Bosco has served me well in life. Maybe more important is a passion for continued learning. Learning does not end when you leave the halls of high school, college or graduate school. You need to have a passion for continued learning because that helps you adapt and succeed as life changes.”
The class salutatorian and recipient of the silver award for academic excellence, Gaston Jean-Louis of Pomona, NY, who will be attending Harvard University in the fall, addressed the audience followed by Christopher Wilson, the valedictorian, National Merit Commended Student and recipient of the gold award, who hails from Hawthorne, NJ. Chris will attend Villanova University in the fall.
The graduates were presented by Dr. Albert Del Principio, Assistant Principal for Academics and diplomas were awarded by John Stanczak, Principal, and Fr. James Heuser, SDB, Director/President.
Among the many recognitions during the graduation ceremony was the Outstanding Graduate Award for demonstrating superior qualities and virtue in all aspects of student life, which was awarded to Bennett Alvaro of Ridgewood, NJ. Bennett, who is a National Merit Commended Student and a National Merit Achievement Scholar, will attend Princeton University in the fall.
Members of the Class of 2012 included 45 AP Scholars, 14 National Merit Commended Students, 2 National Merit Finalists, and 1 National Achievement Scholar. The class was awarded more than $21 million in college scholarships and grants.
Don Bosco Awards for character, service and leadership were presented to Bennett Alvaro, Robert Jones, Nicholas Mendolia, Patrick Sweeney, Patrick Wallace, Joseph Dibble, Thomas McNulty, Brian Sullivan, Grant Van Orden, and John Wilkins.
Members of the Class of 1962, who were present for their 50th reunion weekend, were awarded medals in recognition of 50 years since their graduation from Don Bosco Prep.