Bishop Shanahan High School (BSHS) held its commencement exercises on June 10 in the BSHS auditorium, paying tribute to the Class of 2022.

This year's graduating class included 252 students, all of whom were accepted to four-year colleges, including Brown University, Colgate University, University of Notre Dame and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The class received more than $49 million in total college scholarships, of which 34 were full-tuition scholarships and 96 were presidential scholarships.

The Most Rev. Michael J. Fitzgerald, the auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia Overseeing Catholic Education, presided over the graduation ceremony.

Julia Vito, who will attend the Villanova University Honors College, was the valedictorian. Megan Bradley, who will attend Purdue University, was the salutatorian.

During her speech, Julia reflected on the shared experience of her classmates, saying, "Shanahan has led each of us to distinct accomplishments as athletes, musicians, artists and scholars. Although we're called to different paths, we are united as people for others and children of God."

During the commencement exercises, the Shanahan Medal was posthumously awarded to former Bishop Shanahan principal Sister Maureen McDermott, IHM. Most recently, Sister Maureen was the chief academic officer and superintendent of secondary schools for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This medal is awarded annually to a person or group of persons whose service, commitment and dedication to Catholic education deserve the recognition and gratitude of the Shanahan community.