New Graduates Make Academy Proud

Twenty talented and promising young men were graduated last June from Saint Ignatius Loyola Academy during the school’s 12th ceremony. Bert J. Hash, Jr., President and CEO of the Municipal Employees Credit Union of Baltimore, addressed the new graduates, reminding them that good habits formed early would help them for life. Mr. Hash, who is leaving the Academy’s Board of Directors after nine years, thanked his role models in life, including fellow outgoing Board of Director H. Grant Hathaway. Mr. Hash said that while luck can help make a career, determination and skills acquired in youth make the most difference.

Diplomas were presented to all graduates by Academy President Rev. David A. Sauter, S.J. and Principal Christopher H. Wilson. Father Sauter and Mr. Wilson also presented several honors, including the Arthur Ashe Award for excellence, teamwork, leadership and sportsmanship in athletics to William Youngblood IV; the Gonzaga Award for exemplary conduct and commitment to Dwayne Thomas; the Anthony Capizzi Award for service and good citizenship to Charles Allen, and the Ignatian Award for outstanding Ignatian spirit to Chu-Chi Oka-Zeh.

Chu-Chi remained on stage to give a spirited farewell address in which he recounted his earliest experiences as a shy sixth grader who grew into a more confident young man. Chu-Chi and his classmates will be attending some of Baltimore’s finest college preparatory high schools, including Loyola Blakefield and Friends.

The Academy congratulates these young men for their many accomplishments during their middle school careers and wishes them well in the years ahead. The Academy also thanks all of the students’ benefactors for their belief in the young scholars and their future.