Thank you - Mr. Domino, Chair of the Regis Board, Trustees, Fr ...

John Balletta 4
Class of 2012 Graduation Address
win pick-up basketball games despite having Sam Marth in the frontcourt. I think
it is clear to everyone that all 127 of you are incredible individuals. But together,
you guys make Regis what it is. I am grateful to have had the pleasure of getting
to know you over these last four years, and blessed to be counted among you.
The reality, though, is that our four years here have come to a close. I feel
tempted to say “unfortunately,” and for good reason. I loved my time at Regis, I
had a really great time, and I am sure my somewhat melancholy feeling of leaving
is shared by most classmates and families alike. But I don’t see this as an end.
Regis has always prepared us for the moment when we graduate to accomplish
bigger things ad maiorem dei gloriam. We look towards the future now, prepared
for whatever might lay ahead, using the lessons we learned here to guide us along
the way. Today, we go forth to set the world on fire. We can cherish the
memories of Regis, but it would not be fair to the institution that has given us so
much to dwell on the past at the expense of our bright futures. Besides, if we are
Regians, we can always find home here. We’ll be back eventually, strolling down
the hallways, visitor’s passes affixed, recalling our own memories one classroom at
a time. But now, we have more memories to make.
I’ll close on some of the words St. Paul wrote to the Philippians (come on,
guys, you knew when you picked me you’d hear some Scripture at some point).
These are the same words we heard at the Baccalaureate Mass, the words Father
Judge so eloquently combined with the didgeridoo. St. Paul writes: “Finally,
brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if
there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what
you have learned and received and seen.”
Think about Regis, class of 2012. You will need this on your quest. And
keep on doing all we have learned and received and seen in our four years here.
Thank God for this time, and thank God for everyone who made it possible.
God bless you all.