On Monday, June 3, Seton School in Manassas will say farewell to its senior class during commencement exercises at All Saints Church. Graduating Seniors remember their senior year as one that strengthened their faith and trust in God. With the events of Sept. 11, the deaths of two recent Seton graduates and the slow, but miraculous recovery of another, they have faced many opportunities to practice the virtues taught at Seton. For many, graduation will be like leaving a second family. Of the 61 seniors, 29have attended Seton since seventh grade.

The Class of 2002 has displayed many virtues throughout the years which have highlighted its history. Both the boys and the girls are known for their energy and vivacity in every event that they have led. They have run multiple drives for Haiti and collected thousands of items to send to their less fortunate brothers and sisters. This year’s senior girls not only supported Seton’s sister school in Haiti, but also their own school. In the annual school ad campaign for the spring musical, the girls collected the largest amount of donations each of the last four years. After graduation, Seton will also lose many of its outstanding athletes. Seniors have been offered scholarships in swimming, tennis, volleyball and basketball.

Five students of the Class of 2002 received recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and three attended Governor’s School. They have been accepted to colleges throughout the United States, many with full or partial scholarships.

Valedictorian Patrick Rooney of Our Lady of Angels Parish in Woodbridge has accepted an Echols Scholarship to the University of Virginia. He is also a National Merit Scholarship winner. He was designated an AP Scholar by the College Board and attended the Governor’s School French Language Academy. He was ninth in the U.S. in the Le Grand Cours French exam and first in the state in the Latin Cicero Exam. He also received four consecutive gold medals in the National Latin Exam. Rooney has a 99.08 grade point average and scored 1590 on the SAT. He was an All-Conference swimmer and qualified for the state swim meet. Rooney has attended Seton since the eighth grade.

Salutatorian Therese Dodge of St. Andrew Parish in Clifton was accepted at colleges on both coasts. She has accepted a scholarship to Christendom College. She has maintained a 98.92 G.P.A. As President of the National Honor Society she has spearheaded many service projects at Seton. Therese has been active in local politics and was awarded a trip to California. She has also won oratorical awards.

Also graduating with highest honors are Chris Smith of St. Andrew Parish, William Rogers of Holy Trinity in Gainesville, Michael Medina of St. Stephen the martyr in Middleburg and Patrick Graf of All Saints. Both Smith and Rogers will be attending Catholic University, Smith on a full scholarship and Rogers on a partial. Medina will be attending William and Mary on a partial scholarship and Graf will be attending the University of Pittsburgh on a full scholarship which includes study abroad.

The graduation speaker is Timothy Gray, professor at Christendom College, who will soon be going to the Archdiocese of Denver to teach Scripture at St. John Vianney Seminary. His topic will be "Building the Civilization of Love."

The homilist for the graduation Mass is Father Michael Duesterhaus, pastor of St. William of York Parish in Stafford.

The Seton High School Graduating Class of 2002 includes David Bales, Jose James, Stephanie Seltman, Lianna Bennett, Erin Jeans, Tim Shaughnessey, Nicole Bergeron, Crispin Ketelhut, Elizabeth Sheffield, Nicki Carta, Kenny Kohlhaas, Katie Shipko, Sarah Coble, Elizabeth Krieger, Chris Smith, Dee Cooley, Heather Kunicki, Mary Southard, Heather Cooper, Adrienne Liedtke, Mary Spicer, Mary Catherine Craige, Ariele Lopez, Ryan Sweeny, Peter Crawford;

Kathryn McKelvey, John Trujillo, Stephen Davies, Michael Medina, Marc Verry, Rebecca Davis, Jessica Mercier, Anna vonReyn, Patrick DiVietri, Patrick Mooney, Stephanie Ward, Lauren Dobak, Kelly Mulhern, Martin Watjen, Therese Dodge, Teresa Myers, Michelle Watkins, Peter Dubois, John O’Herron, Justin White, Yamilette Perez, Cathy Wilkinson, Brendan Flannery;

Kevin Reagan, Megan Young, Patrick Graf, William Rogers, Rene Zambrana, Rebecca Graham, Patrick Rooney, David Hickson, Sean Rush, Emily Hogge, Margaret Schmitt, Ross Jacobs and Katie Schweitzer.