Malvern Preparatory School celebrated its eighty-second commencement yesterday morning at Wolfington Plaza in front of Malvern’s Our Mother of Good Counsel Chapel.

As the skies cleared from the rains the night before, the Malvern community paid tribute to the 113 seniors of the Class of 2008, who ended the ceremony with a traditional cap toss around the statue of St. Augustine at the entrance to campus.

A theme of brotherhood stood out in both the speech from the Class Speaker, Fran McGill and the Commencement Address give by Lou Colameco, a 1977 graduate of Malvern Prep and owner of the Wellshire Family of Companies.

“Once a Friar, always a Friar,” said McGill. “We must take care of each other. The world moves quickly. It’s easy to get lost; it’s easy to forget what we learned at Malvern about life and about people, which is why we have to hold the values and truths that we’ve learned here close to our hearts. Though we leave Malvern today, we do not leave each other.”

And, with a nod to the School’s theme for the year, “Embrace the Arts,” McGill closed his speech by singing and playing on the piano “Follow Your Dreams” by Jimmy Messina, a fitting reflection on the roads these graduates have ahead of them. “You are the one you decide to be,” McGill sang. “Follow your dreams and do what you love to do.”

In the Commencement Address Colameco, whose Wellshire Farms brands are some of the most-respected names in the all-natural meat industry, reflected on the struggles he has had in his business career and how Malvern was always there to support him.

“Through the bad times, my Malvern friends were always with me. Through the good times, my Malvern friends were always with me,” Colameco said. “When I graduated, I thought I was leaving Malvern, but I has been a part of my life ever since. You get a support system for life when you graduate form Malvern Prep.”

Malvern’s commencement ceremony began with a Baccalaureate Liturgy, presided over by Head of School the Rev. James Flynn, O.S.A., and featured musical selections throughout by the Men’s Chorus and Liturgical Music Group. Following the Commencement Address, a number of Academic Excellence and Memorial Awards were presented, and then the conferring of diplomas by President James Stewart and Fr. Flynn. The formal ceremony ended with brief remarks by Stewart and Augustinian Provincial the Very Rev. Donald Reilly, O.S.A.

Awards given at the Commencement Ceremony:

Academic Excellence Awards

Highest Grade Point Average for Senior Year: Brian Fulton
Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average for Four Years: Brian Fulton

Memorial Awards

The Thomas J. O’Brien ’67 Memorial Award: Brian Fulton
(Given to a senior who is an active leader in his class.)

The Father Duffy Memorial Award for Activities and Leadership: David Marcucci
(Given to a senior who is an active leader in his class.)

The Grifferty Award: Kevin Cirilli
(Named for longtime teacher and Augustinian, presented to a senior who has performed beyond highest expectations through persistence and positive attitude.)

The Saint Augustine Christian Service Award: The Class of 2008
(Given in honor of Christian leadership – each member of the Class of 2008 has given in a Christ-like way to those less fortunate. Therefore, all 113 members of the class were recognized.)