Wilton’s Our Lady of Fatima School held its commencement exercises on Friday evening, June 15 for its graduating 8th grade class. The event included a Mass offered by Our Lady of Fatima pastor, Rev. Reginald Norman, followed by a reception. Featured commencement speakers were Fatima “graduating” parent, Dr. George Zarah and school principal, Stanley Steele.

Graduating members of the Class of 2018 represent the towns of Fairfield, Norwalk, Wilton, Westport and Weston, and include:

Madison Suzanne Bartek
Clare Olivia Beggan
Elizabeth Ashley Beggan
Anthony Peter Bonaddio
Jenna Brooke Bonafide
Christina Renée Carford
Ryan J. Carroll
Demetra Maria Christakos
Rebecca Elizabeth Crocitto
Anais Lu DeJesus
Ellen Siobhan Feeney
Alexandra Fordsman
Katherine Emma Hanavan
Emma Londoner
Griffin James McMahon
Charles Paul Meyer
Ashley Sophia Moayedi
Elizabeth Ashley Scott
Victoria Caitlin Vizza
Olivia Wendorff
Anna Maria Zahrah

Before graduation, the 8th graders celebrated an OLF tradition, marching through the halls of the school for “Clap Out,” clapping hands with all the students in the grades below. The move capped off a year during which the 8th graders assumed mentorship roles, as leaders of the pre-K through 8th grade school. It also allowed all the younger students to celebrate the graduates, who represent all that is possible when they work hard for their achievements.

During the school’s commencement ceremony, officials presented several annual scholarships and awards. Recipients included:  Ellen Siobhan Feeney, Eugene Rooney Award; Anna Maria Zahrah and Griffin James McMahon, Home School Association Awards; and Clare Olivia Beggan and Elizabeth Ashley Beggan, Performing Arts Awards.

In addition, a new award was offered this year by Fatima parishioners Phillip Lauria and Elaine Tai-Lauria in honor of their beloved son, Phillip, a 2001 Fatima graduate, who lost his battle with cancer in May. The Phillip Lauria Jr. Memorial Award was presented to Ryan J. Carroll.

The graduates will attend several area high schools in the fall:  Wilton High School; Academy of Our Lady of Mercy–Lauralton Hall; Fairfield College Preparatory School; Immaculate High School; Norwalk High School; Saint Joseph High School; Staples High School–Westport; Weston High School; and Bishop England High School (Charleston, SC).