Shepherds hosted a festive brunch in honor of f the six Kolbe Cathedral High School graduating seniors. The brunch honored the graduates, their families and the students’ mentors.

Kicking off our celebration with a moving invocation was Kolbe Cathedral High School Principal, Henry Rondon. Then Shepherds’ Executive Director Daniel McAuliffe welcomed students, families and mentors. He addressed each graduate and honored their strengths, dedication, hard work and leadership. “Seeing you all come full-circle has been very satisfying. I’ve watched you grow into wonderful young adults with goals, dreams and the skills to achieve them.” McAuliffe also expressed his gratitude to the mentors who guided these students via the Shepherds mentoring program, “Providing our Shepherds’ students additional resources for academic success is made that much richer with the addition of mentors.”

Each mentor and student spoke about their experience working together toward a common goal – academic and personal success of the student. Both mentors and students repeatedly stated how important their relationship was to each other and how much they enjoyed their times together talking, going for a walk and grabbing a bite to eat. Mentors recounted how they learned as much as they taught their students. Students gained another adult in their lives who could be a great sounding board for advice and counsel. It was clear from each student and mentor speaking on Saturday, that their relationships were mutually rewarding as they spoke about the bonds they formed together based on trust. Universally, mentors stated that witnessing young freshman grow into young adults with goals and discipline was simply a joy to behold.

Zaid Aparicio, a 2015 Shepherds’ graduate who just graduated from Fairfield University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, reminded the graduates that they should not give up their dreams no matter how bumpy the road. Shepherds’ Founder Barney Phillips echoed Zaid by saying that in all likelihood, students “will experience failure and make regrettable decisions, and that’s ok. The test of your character and a road to your success is a matter of pulling yourself up and moving forward.” Phillips reminded students that their families, Kolbe Cathedral High School, their mentor and Shepherds have given each of them a foundation for personal and academic success that they can trust. Phillips said he hopes that the students believe in themselves as much as he, their families, Kolbe Cathedral High School and their Shepherds’ mentor believes in them.

As Shepherds celebrates our students’ graduations, we look forward to their continued success utilizing their dedication, goal setting, hard work and skills learned from their parents, Shepherds’ mentors and teachers. 

Shepherds’ Kolbe Cathedral High School Class of 2019 College Plans and Mentors

Dylan Botillo-Hesselton: UConn Storrs; mentors Suzie & Mike Whelan

Kadijah Needham: Sacred Heart University; mentor Kathy Colucci

Andrew Tello: Gateway Community College; mentor Hugh McCrory

Tynamar Morales: UConn Stamford; mentor Lisa Matson.

Odera Smart: CT National Guard and UConn Storrs; mentor Lindsay Duggan.

Quinton Sneed-Lott:  Keene State in New Hampshire where he will be part of their basketball team; mentor Lisy Currier Martinez.