Malvern Prep’s 111 members of the senior class were honored Monday morning during their final chapel service at the school. The ceremony was an opportunity for the underclassmen, faculty and senior parents to spend time with and acknowledge the Class of 2012, as the seniors prepared to depart for two weeks of international Christian service projects prior to their graduation on Thursday, June 7.
At the service, the Malvern community paid tribute to the academic achievements of the graduating class, first bestowing upon them the Class of 2012 medallions, and then honoring the many individual achievements of the seniors. Malvern’s three National Merit Finalists, four National Merit Commended Students and two National Merit Scholarship recipients were acknowledged, and the class’ 28 National Honor Society members received their gold recognition cords.
Highlighting the service was the presentation of the Kevin J. Fitzpatrick ’81 Senior Class Award to
Eli Polnerow of Thornton. This award was voted on solely by the seniors and recognizes a senior who represents kindness, friendship, leadership and loyalty to his class and Malvern Prep. Eli will pursue his academic career at Loyola University. The senior tribute ceremony also recognized US Naval Academy candidate
Andrew James Hayes of Collegeville and US Naval Academy Prep candidates
Russell D. Atkinson III of Devon and
Jeremy Gonzalez of Chadds Ford, as well as US Army ROTC candidate
Jackson Pierucci of Broomall.
In addition, outgoing Student Council President Thomas A. Pitt IV of West Chester addressed his fellow classmates for the final time and passed the Student Council Gavel to President-Elect Adams Daramy of Downingtown.
Another highlight of the senior tribute service was the dedication of the 2012 yearbook, the
Malvernian. Editor-in-chief
Jake Stokes of Gladwyne and editor and designer
Chris Smart of Malvern offered this year’s yearbook to English teacher
Timothy Dougherty. Stokes noted in his dedication “Mr. Doc teaches his students to challenge the existing rules and critically think about the benefits and problems with each side. His paper topics are intriguing for his students – ranging from senior exemptions to social issues brought up by musicians – truly encompassing every student’s mind. His leadership qualities show students how to push forward, which can be seen in many of Mr. Doc’s duties at Malvern.”
Leading up to graduation, Malvern seniors are spread across the world on Christian service trips, with some performing service in the local community; others going to national sites including West Virginia and New Orleans; and others traveling as far away as Honduras, Peru, Jamaica and South Africa.
The Class of 2012 will gather together again for the Senior/Parent Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, June 6, at 8:25 a.m. Graduation ceremonies will be held on Thursday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m. at Wolfington Plaza on the chapel lawn on the school’s campus.