Immaculata graduates 128, $32.5 million awarded in scholarships

SOMERVILLE – One hundred twenty-eight graduates of the Immaculata High School Class of 2023 received their diplomas during the school’s 57th commencement at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Somerville, on Friday, June 2. The commencement marked the 10,000 graduate to go through the doors of Immaculata, whose first senior class graduated in 1966.

“Immaculata for over 60 years now has been educating young men and women and it’s done a great job. But you (the graduates) certainly have gotten much more than anyone’s gotten in these 60 years because of what you have been through these past few years,” Bishop James F. Checchio said in his opening remarks. “… Life’s full of challenges … and hopefully you’ve learned from dealing with this pandemic a couple of important lessons. 

“One, your strength, your inner strength that you pulled up and pushed through what was thrown at you, all certainly unknown, and also your reliance on God, that God is always with us even through our challenges … It’s a great lesson that you’ve learned that no one else has learned throughout the time that Immaculata has been in existence,” Bishop Checchio said. 

In her salutatorian speech, Tara Khosla of Hillsborough, who will major in chemical biology at Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, said: “Immaculata has given us so many unique opportunities, life skills, and experiences to be grateful for … We have been given the tools to make a positive impact on our community and grow as people. However, the most significant impact of these opportunities is the timeless relationships they have helped us form.”

 “After high school, many of you will strive to achieve success: a vague ideal that can be interpreted in countless ways. Although I do not know what this future success will look like, I can tell you that it is not found by chasing the expectations that society has for you. Instead, focus on doing what you love regardless of other people’s opinions,” she said.

Matthew Kolakowski of Bridgewater, who will be majoring in aerospace engineering at the University of Tennessee, gave the valedictorian speech to his fellow graduates.

 “In our small Immaculata community, every single one of us has a place. But, as we move out into the world, we may wonder what our purpose is and how to discover what we’re being called to do with our lives…Immaculata has taught us that life is about so much more than what we achieve or strive to accomplish as students and in our professional careers,” he said.

Referencing Mother Teresa, he said: “At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.’ I think that this aspect of our human experience is something that we as Spartans are exceedingly good at: helping each other out.” 

Keira McCabe followed a family tradition as a 2023 Immaculata graduate. Her mother, Katherine McCabe, Class of 1992, and older sisters, Bridget (2019) and Megan (2020), are IHS alumni with the youngest of the family entering IHS in the fall.

“I was so excited to come here because … my sisters had good experiences there and I went to ICS (Immaculate Conception School) so it kind of felt like I was still in the same school community and knew that I would love it,” Keira told The Catholic Spirit.

While at IHS she was a member of the volleyball team, serving as captain in her senior year, spring track team, was a Marian Scholar and took part in the Classical Studies program. She will be attending James Madison University and hopes to play club volleyball.

Legacy mother Linda Tully, who is also the school’s director of school counseling, was there to support her son, Jack Tully, who will be attending George Washington University. His sister, Lauren, was a member of the IHS Class of 2020.

“I think Immaculata provides a unique experience for students with their small environment and their ability to make close friendships with each other and the faculty as well,” Linda Tully told The Catholic Spirit.

School Principal Edward Webber, who completed his first year as principal following a year as acting principal, announced the recipients of scholarship awards for the senior class totaling $32.5 million, which was up from $21.5 million from last year’s senior class. 

Eighty percent of the class received scholarships or awards, according to Tara Smith, director of marketing and communications.