Santa Margarita Catholic Graduation Goes By the Numbers

The 22nd commencement ceremony of Santa Margarita Catholic High took place last week at UC Irvine's Bren Events Center, where thousands gathered to watch 349 members of the class of 2012 step into the next chapter of their lives.

The collection of students had 73 percent graduate with honors, including co-valedictorians Katie Fernelius and Hayley Ritterhern with grade-point averages of 4.84 and co-salutatorians Jessica Hickey and Elizabeth Zarka with GPAs of 4.8.

• Read about the valedictorians and salutatorians by

Twenty-five percent of graduates had GPAs of 4.0 or higher.

There were two sets of twins (Christopher and Michael Abboud, Katelyn and Michelle McSkane), one set of triplets (Brenna, Nicole and Kyle Conway), and a National Merit Scholar (Preston Spunt).

Among those who spoke at the June 1 event were Rev. Tod D. Brown, bishop of Orange; Rev. Gerald M. Horan, vicar of faith formation for the Diocese of Orange; Greg Dhuyvetter, superintendent of schools; and Ray Dunne, principal at Santa Margarita.

The valedictorians and salutatorians also spoke.

"All of us are at an advantage because of our time here,” Zarka told her classmates.

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Fernelius said that even though there were mixed emotions for some—those happy to move on to the next chapter of their lives, others sad to see high school come to an end—"We must rush into the next part of our lives with the same spirit as when we rushed the field after the CIF championship win,” a reference to the football team's CIF Southern Section Pac-5 and State Bowl championships.

Ritterhern reminded classmates to follow their passions and dreams. “We are all capable of doing amazing things when we do what we love,” she said.

Dunne said it was an honor to watch this class mature.

“From your accomplishments in academics, athletics and the arts, you have left a tremendous legacy for the classes that will follow," he said. "Life as you know it will change.

“Remember you are the agent of change in your own life. Change is inevitable, but remember the one thing that doesn’t change is the love of our Lord. With Christ’s love you can renew the face of the earth.”

He also quoted Dr. Seuss from Oh the Places You’ll Go: “Congratulations, you’re off to great places, today is your day. Wherever you fly you will be the best, wherever you go, you will top the rest.”

• Here are comments, supplied by the school, from some graduates about the SMCHS experience:
• Ryan Gardner (Alabama): “Today marks the day that I left a beautiful community that I learned so much from and has paved me in the right direction for my future.”
• Brynne McGovern (Saddleback College): “This school has a sense of community. I am going to miss the spirit, the people and the enthusiasm.”
• Robert "Mack" Pierson (Pennsylvania): “This is a big moment for all of us. We have been through so much together. It’s apparent how close we have all become and how the school has helped foster that.”
• Kathryn Andrews (Mississippi): “I feel so connected to my classmates. We will always be the Class of 2012.”
• Katie Dally (Boston): “Santa Margarita was a great community where I felt comfortable. I have so many great friends I can rely on that I know will be there for me.”

Santa Margarita's Class of 2012 by the numbers (provided by the school):

• $24.3 million in scholarship offers
• 31,387 combined hours of Christian service
• 349 members of the class
• 99 percent of graduates continuing their education at the college level
• 94 Students graduating with an International Baccalaureate Certificate
• 73 percent of the Class of 2012 graduated with honors
• 39 student-athletes to compete at collegiate level
• 35 students graduating with an International Baccalaureate Diploma
• 14 National Merit commended students
• 4 National Merit Finalists
• 1 National Merit Scholar
• 1 Set of triplets
• 2 Sets of twins
• 1 in four graduates has a cumulative GPA of a 4.0 and higher