21 sent forth from Sacred Heart High School in Sedalia
The Sacred Heart High School 2025 Graduation ceremony was held Sunday, May 18, at the McGremlin Gym.
To the tune of Elgar’s regal Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, the 21 graduating seniors were escorted by parents and loved ones into the event.
Master of Ceremonies and Sacred Heart School President Nikki Howell welcomed seniors, parents, faculty, staff and guests to the 81st commencement ceremony of Sacred Heart High School.
Father Joseph Corel, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish of Pettis County, gave the invocation.
“Thank you for giving (these young people) the gift of life,” Fr. Corel prayed. “And for giving them the parents who love and support them. Thank you for allowing them to choose Sacred Heart School. They can learn more about who they are, filled with your love and many gifts.”
Other dignitaries on the platform included: Father Gregory Clever, Father Martin Masiisa and Father Greivin Rodriguez Agüero, associate pastors of the parish; Sacred Heart counselor Sarah Tippee; Principal Suzanne Jenkins; Assistant Principal Jane McMullin; and Sacred Heart senior class moderator and commencement speaker Nancy Manning.
“Seventeen out of 21 students will graduate with honors, a GPA of 3.0 or above,” Mrs. Howell said. “Sixteen out of 21 members of this class have already completed one or more college courses; collectively they will carry over 195 hours of college credit with them as they graduate from Sacred Heart High School.”
Salutatorian Sophie Anderson addressed her classmates with advice that has served her well in her time at Sacred Heart.
“Some of us are headed to college, some of us to trade school, some may join the military, some will have families and some just aren’t sure,” said Sophie.
“If there is one thing I have learned from my time at Sacred Heart, it’s that God will guide you where you’re meant to be,” she stated. “God sent my family here when I was in sixth grade, and for a long time, I couldn’t figure out why. I’ve come to learn that Sacred Heart is a very special place, a hidden gem.”
Sophie then took the time to personally praise each of her classmates one by one and mention what they have meant to her.
The Sacred Heart Men’s Choir sang a soulful rendition of “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s my Brother.”
In her address, valedictorian Paige Diller began her deepest gratitude for those who had supported her and her classmates and had guided them in their time at Sacred Heart.
“To our parents and families, thank you so much for the countless sacrifices you have made for us and for always being our greatest source of inspiration and strength,” said Paige. “Words are not enough to articulate how thankful we are for your love and support over the years; you have had the biggest role in shaping who we are today and we would not be here without you.”
She thanked Mrs. Manning for patiently guiding them through an unforgettable year.
“You have gone above and beyond time and time again for our class,” said Paige. “From being an amazing family and consumer science teacher to putting up with all our chaos on the mission trip.”
Mrs. Manning addressed the 21 graduating seniors as people she had grown to know and respect.
“This is not just a ceremony,” she stated. “It’s a recognition of everything you’ve accomplished, overcome and become during your time here at Sacred Heart Catholic High School.”
Referring to each graduating senior by name, she spoke of how each had brought something to this past school year that no one else could.
“You’ve made Sacred Heart more colorful, more vibrant, more you,” she said. “I am honored to have walked alongside you, you’re outside-the-box thinkers, you’re doers, you challenge the norm, ask the tough questions and refuse to settle for, ‘It’s just the way it’s always been.’”
Mrs. Manning said the world needs this class’s kind of thinking.
“It needs your boldness, your kindness, your determination to do things differently,” she said. “Don’t ever let the world convince you to shrink. Let your light shine.”
She urged them all to hold onto their moral compass, to be grateful to all their loved ones, and to “be happy, stay strong and keep the faith.”
She received a spontaneous group hug from her seniors as she left the stage.
By Graduation Day, the 21 graduating seniors had amassed over $2,126,474 in scholarship offers.
Paige said she’ll miss the small, close-knit community at Sacred Heart and attending Mass together as a school community during the week.
“Attending Sacred Heart kept me close to the Sacraments by giving me many opportunities to go to Mass, Confession, Adoration, and other spiritual activities,” she stated. “Over the years, this gave me a strong faith foundation and will allow me to continue to choose God even in the difficult times ahead.”
She plans to attend the University of Missouri this fall. There, she hopes to surround herself with friends who also keep God at the center of their lives.
“I will continue to prioritize spending time with God in prayer, so I stay grounded in my Catholic faith as I adjust to a new environment,” she said.
She asked for prayers for all young people who are discerning their vocation, participating in the Sacraments, and having faith-based discussions.
Chris Howell is a reporter for the Sedalia Democrat newspaper (sedaliademocrat.com), which published a version of this story on May 19. This version is published here with permission. Jay Nies, editor of The Catholic Missourian, contributed to this report.
