Peter Gallo of Asbury was named Immaculata’s Class of 2019‘s Valedictorian and Kathleen Gorman of Flemington was named the Salutatorian for the school’s graduation, set for Friday, May 31, 2019 at 6:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Church. Diocese of Metuchen’s Bishop James Checchio will address the graduates and distribute the diplomas. Immaculata’s Baccalaureate Mass will be held on Thursday evening, May 30, 2019 at 4:30 PM at Immaculate Conception Church with Immaculata School Director and Immaculate Conception Church pastor Msgr. Seamus Brennan as the main celebrant, joined by Immaculata’s Directory of Catholic Identity Fr. Tholitho. One hundred thirty-three students will graduate.
This year Immaculata will have its first AP Capstone Program graduates. Twelve seniors, who enrolled in this vigorous academic offering, will receive special recognition. Both Peter Gallo and Kathleen Gorman, the valedictorian and salutatorian, are part of this premiere Capstone class. In addition, thirteen families will be honored as Second Generations Spartans, meaning one or more parent is an alumnus/a, and will accompany their child/children to the altar for the actual diploma presentation.
A National Merit Scholarship finalist and Marian Scholar, Gallo will be attending Saint Joseph's University to play baseball (as a pitcher and outfielder) and major in Business Intelligence and Analytics. At Immaculata he was President of the National Honor Society, Varsity Baseball Captain, and Model UN Lead Youth Secretariat.
Gallo dedicated himself to Campus Ministry service, enjoyed the challenges at various Math League competitions, earning the school’s highest score at the AMC Math Competition and served as a Spanish Honor Society member.
Gallo feels choosing to attend Immaculata is “one of the best decisions that I have ever made, because of the personal growth it has helped foster. I have been introduced to numerous extracurricular, academic, and service opportunities and have received caring support from countless teachers that together has guided me to grow as both a student and a person."
Columbia University-bound Gorman plans to study History, Russian, and Political Science and attend graduate school for International Relations, gearing herself for a job in the State Department. A Marian Scholar, Gorman is a member of the National Honor Society and serves as President of the French Honor Society. Heavily involved in the Model UN program, she was a 2018 Premiere First Year Delegate and 2019 Model United Nations Premiere Delegate Nominee. President of the Photography Club, she earned Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for Photography (Gold, Silver, & Honorable Mention) for three years and even had an exhibit at Montclair Art Museum. This year Gorman won the 2019 Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens Award.
In addition, she is heavily committed to service work through Campus Ministry, earning two Presidential Service Awards. Her broad interests are reflected in her diverse activities including co-founder and president of the Debate Club, member of the Student Council Executive Board, and member of the Folk Group, Spartan Choir, Chamber Choir, and Spring Musical cast.
“At Immaculata” says Gorman, who was a National Merit Commended student, “I was taught by interesting, passionate faculty who helped me discover my intellectual interests. My teachers went above and beyond to foster my love of learning. They enriched my academic experience inside and outside of the classroom through rigorous courses, trips and programming, and individual attention. My Immaculata experience made me the student I am today.”
“Both these individuals have accomplished so much in their four years here,” says Head of School Joan Silo. “They represent all four pillars of this school: Faith, Scholarship, Service, and Friendship. What is exemplary about them and their whole class is that they commit to so many of our opportunities here. They go beyond book learning and have grown through sports, the arts and their extracurricular activities. And they have established a lifelong commitment to the needy through the school’s extraordinary Campus Ministry Outreach Program. We are Spartan Proud of the Class of 2019 and wish them the best as they launch their college careers.”