On Friday, May 18, 2012, Padua Academy celebrated their last mass as a community for the 2011-2012 school year. To start the ceremony, seniors processed in wearing their white dresses. A few tears fell as fellow sisters and teachers watched them walk in to sit in the senior section for mass one last time. Mass proceeded and music ministry led the Cafe in all of the “favorite songs,” including “Awesome God,” “Grace Like Rain,” and “We Are One Body.” Readings and solos were done by individuals in the Class of 2012. As the mass concluded, the Padua sisters and community proudly sang the Alma Mater.

At the end of mass, Mrs. Mann recognized teachers and faculty members who have served our school for five, ten, fifteen, and twenty years of service. The teachers included: 20 years of service:  Mrs. Debbie Forbes 15 years of service: Mrs. Carol Anderson 10 years of service: Ms. Alisa Anderson, Mr. Robert Barfield, Mr. Richard Beno, Mr. Dean Buckwalter, Mr. Dennis Leizear, Mrs. Terry Mattina, Mrs. Barbara Ruszkowski 5 years of service: Ms. Vanetta Harper Also, we said our goodbyes and congratulations to two members of our community who are retiring this year – Father McGinley and Mrs. Anderson.

Following the congratulations, each class took place in the “moving up” ceremony. Former student body president, Gizelle Pendang (‘11), returned to represent Padua alumni. This year’s seniors surrounded the Cafe, encircling the current juniors, sophomores, and freshman. Each class got up and moved to the seats in which they will take next fall, when they return to Padua after summer. Appropriately, the seniors were dismissed first, filled with the bittersweet feeling of knowing this was their last time.