Notre Dame de Sion High School - Sionian Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

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Graduation Mass 61

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Seniors Begin Search for Space” As the morning sun streamed in the stained glass windows of the Lower School Chapel, the seniors proudly filed into their pews. Here they celebrated their final mass to- gether. In his homily. Father Tom Minges challenged each senior to find her own direction and to fol- low it. He wished each girl luck in her search for her own space”, the theme carried out in music, lessons, and the graduation banner designed by the Class of ’82. After Communion, Janie Vader shared a poem she had written to tell her classmates how much she treasured their love and friendship. During the Sign of Peace each senior gave her mother a carnation and her father a copy of the lyrics to Sometimes”. Later in the mass the fifty-six very emotional seniors sang that song to their parents to thank them for all their love and support. After singing their class song, Looking for Space”, the seniors left the peaceful refuge of the chapel and began their hectic graduation day with breakfast at the Hyatt Hotel with their families and members of the Sion faculty and staff. A. Class of '82 assembles following their fi- nal mass. B. Carey Wiikerson reads a scrip- tural lesson as Father Tom Minges looks on. C. Listening intently. Theresa Ruby, anie Vader, Nancy f'ennesy, Michelle Hamilton and Kate Raleigh share a serious moment. D. During the Peace, Shelly Collier delivers mementos to her parents os Mrs. Barbara Hamilton looks on. E. Karen Schweiger hugs Dianna Disney as Kim Ruiz. Michelle De Carlo. Kim Selig, and Bev Bartley dis- solve into tears. F. Seniors and their parents solemnly prepare for mass. 60 Graduation Mass

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Ceremony Crowns Year The striking of the clock at 6:30 rang in the end of four wonderful, often hectic and heartbreaking, yet unforgetable years. Having composed themselves from the emotional mass in the morning, the seniors were ready to say goodbye to their friends and the lifestyle they had come to know and to move on to find their own space in the world. The chords from Pomp and Circumstance” sig- naled the beginning of the graduation ceremony. The seniors marched in and took their rightful places of honor. Father Minges pronounced the in- vocation, and Twylene Bethard welcomed the family and friends who had come to honor the girls. The ceremony had officially begun. Linda Estevez then explained the meaning of the passing of the rings and colors as symbols of the seniors’ passing on all their responsibilities to the juniors. Gini DeMarco and Pam Grant read off the names as the juniors proudly marched upon the stage to receive their rings and colors. Jill Schaaf explained the tradition behind the crown-bearing segment of the ceremony. As each girl received her diploma, she also received a crown, which she deposited as she left to perpetuate the continuity of Sion’s traditions. The song “Jeanne D'Arc’’ started the procession of the seniors out of the gym. As each senior marched slowly down the stairs, removed her crown and walked down the aisle, the realization that it was all over and yet just beginning hit. The graduates, tear- ful and joyous, left behind a special space that will remain inside their hearts and in the memories of the students who will follow them.