FATHER LOPEZCATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

FIFTY-FIFTH COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

Saturday, May 31, 20143:00 pm

Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Centerand Visual Arts Gallery

Bethune-Cookman UniversityDaytona Beach, Florida

FATHER LOPEZCATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Most Reverend John G. NoonanBishop of Orlando

Mr. Henry P. FortierSecretary for Faith FormationSuperintendent of Schools

Dr. Michael J. CouryPresident

Mr. Lee C. SayagoPrincipal

Ms. Patricia DaileyAssistant Principal

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We, the Class of 2014, dedicate this dayand all of our future accomplishments

to our familieswith our love

and deepest appreciation.

We also acknowledge and recognizethe faculty, staff and administration

atFather Lopez Catholic High Schoolfor their support and encouragement.

Additionally, we thankMr. Cedric Evans, Sr., and the staff

of theMary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center

and Visual Arts Galleryfor preparing this facilityfor our graduation.

Lastly, we thank everyonewho contributed to this special occasion

and who have joined usin celebration today.

May God bless all of you.

Vision Statement

Father Lopez Catholic High School is a Christ-centered community of learners.We believe that spiritual formation in the Catholic tradition and academic rigorcreate a positive culture where all students are free to discover their full humanpotential through scholarly pursuits, athletics and service leadership.

GRADUATION CEREMONY

MASTER OF CEREMONIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mr. Lee C. SayagoPrincipal

PRESENTATION OF THE FLAGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michael Douglas AbateAnthony Nader

Paige Maloy Ward

PROCESSIONAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pomp and CircumstanceSir Edgar Elgar, Composer

INVOCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mr. James E. CooneyAssociate Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Orlando

NATIONAL ANTHEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Star Spangled BannerLyrics by Francis Scott Key

INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mr. Lee C. SayagoPrincipal

SALUTATORY ADDRESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sidney Marie Jackson

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jason Paul West

INTRODUCTION OF THE CLASS OF 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mrs. Patricia C. EverettSenior Class Moderator

DISTRIBUTION OF DIPLOMAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. Michael J. CouryPresident

Mr. Lee C. SayagoPrincipal

Ms. Patricia DaileyAssistant PrincipalRev. Thomas Barrett

Chairperson, Board of DirectorsMr. James Cooney

Associate Superintendent for the Diocese of Orlando

CEREMONIAL TURNING OF THE TASSEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mr. Lee C. SayagoPrincipal

PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL AWARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. Michael J. CouryPresident

• Crest of the Wave Awards• President’s Awards

SENIOR CLASS REFLECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Miss Rebecca A. WestcottSenior Class Mentor

BENEDICTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rev. Thomas BarrettPastor, St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church

Chairperson, Father Lopez Board of Directors

RECESSIONAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Prelude to a Te DeumMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Composer

Jasmine Pearl Alson #*

Ida Sisko Lovisa Angelma *

Kaitlyn Shaye Azar

Katherine Sarah Biggs #*

Rebecca Alexandra Blais #*+

Joseph Boden

Justin Paul Bryant

Jackson Thomas Bush #*+

Chen Guan

David Crespo III

Olivia Ann Del Guercio

Andrew James Elder *

Adam Davis Farmer *+

Louis John Ferris III

Lauren Nicole Freeborn

Benjamin Charles Ginsberg #

Sarah Katherine Hollmann #

Jordan Rae Hopkins

Haillee Lizzette Elizabeth Howell

Alyssa Marie Husbands #*

Sidney Marie Jackson #*

Ashnel Dorey Jean-Mary #*

Kathryn Nicole Kehr #*

Kevin Patrick Spilman Kelly #

Brantley Egan Lansberry #*+

Tiffany Lianna Laserna

Alexandria Jayne Leek #*

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2014

Amy Lynne Leslie #*

Long Yun

Ma Shaohuan

Ma Shaoshu *

Benjamin James Marello

Spencer Dean Maugeri

Alan Jonathan McFarland *

Sam Alan McIntire

Alexis Nicole McMullin #

Meng Chenyang

Miao Wei *

Andrew James Miceli

Alexandra Rae Miles

Joseph S. Mortensen #*

Madeline Louise Musante

Brieanna Dominique Joely Napolitano

Isabella Valentina Amethyst Napolitano

William Thomas Oglesby #*

Spenser Patrick O’Hair #

Pan Ruixin

Mary Victoria Perry +

Talon Les Reeder

Ren Zijian

Marissa Luz Rodriguez

Nicholas Alexander Rowe

Cristina Ariel Roy

David Phillip Santa Maria

Nicholas Joseph Santoyo

Alanna Anne Schatz

She Meng *

Brooke Sierra Shroyer #*

Gabriel Kevin Silveira *

Nicholas Michael Spadea

ShaDeja Rayana Stewart

Valerie Pauline Villafañe-Mercado #*

Jeffrey Gerard Waddick Jr.

Wang Jinchu

Wang Junmusha *

Jason Paul West #*

Zachary Lee Wilson *

Xu Chengfeng

Zhang Mingxin

Zhang Nan

# Summa Cum Laude Diploma* National Honor Society Member+ Second Generation Green Wave

CLASS FACTS

Class Flower: Orchis Italica

Class Colors: Black and Gold

Class Song: “Time of Your Life” – Green Day

Scripture Verse: “I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession.Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forwardto what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, theprize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3.13 - 14

Class Quote: “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing newthings, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us downnew paths.”

Walt Disney

Adelphi UniversityAllegheny CollegeAlma CollegeAppalachian State UniversityAuburn UniversityAurora UniversityAve Maria UniversityAverett UniversityBarry UniversityBaylor UniversityBelhaven UniversityBenedictine UniversityBerry CollegeBrown UniversityCase Western Reserve UniversityCatholic University of AmericaChabot CollegeChestnut Hill CollegeClark UniversityCleveland State UniversityColgate UniversityCollege of CharlestonColorado State UniversityCrown CollegeDaytona State CollegeDrexel UniversityDuke UniversityEastern Michigan UniversityEckerd CollegeElon UniversityEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityEmory UniversityErskine CollegeFairleigh Dickinson UniversityFerrum College

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES FOR THE CLASS OF 2014(At the time we went to press, the following colleges and universities

had offered acceptances to our graduating seniors.)

Flagler CollegeFlorida Agricultural & MechanicalUniversity

Florida Atlantic UniversityFlorida Gulf Coast UniversityFlorida Institute of TechnologyFlorida International UniversityFlorida State UniversityFordham UniversityFurman UniversityGeorgia Institute of TechnologyHoly Cross CollegeIllinois CollegeIllinois Institute of TechnologyJohns Hopkins UniversityLawrence UniversityLindenwood UniversityLynn UniversityMarietta CollegeNew College of FloridaNortheastern UniversityNotre Dame UniversityNova Southeastern UniversityOhio State UniversityPennsylvania State UniversityPrinceton UniversityRhodes CollegeRollins CollegeRoosevelt UniversityRutgers UniversitySaint Leo UniversitySaint Michael’s CollegeSaint Vincent CollegeSeminole State CollegeSeton Hall University

Sewanee: The University of the SouthSkidmore CollegeSmith CollegeSouthwestern University of TexasSt. John’s UniversitySt. Mary’s CollegeState College of Florida, SarasotaState University of New York at Stony Brook

Sterling CollegeStetson UniversitySyracuse UniversityTallahassee Community CollegeThe Art Institute of Fort LauderdaleThe College of WoosterTroy UniversityTulane UniversityUniversity of AlabamaUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of California, IrvineUniversity of Central FloridaUniversity of DaytonUniversity of Denver

University of FloridaUniversity of IllinoisUniversity of MaineUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstUniversity of MiamiUniversity of MinnesotaUniversity of New HampshireUniversity of North FloridaUniversity of OregonUniversity of San FranciscoUniversity of South FloridaUniversity of TampaUniversity of VermontUniversity of VirginiaUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of West FloridaUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison University of PittsburghUniversity of Pittsburgh at JohnstownValdosta State UniversityWofford CollegeYork College

Editor’s Note: The 70 members of the Class of 2014 have been offeredacceptances from 113 colleges and universities located in 32 different states.This includes acceptances from 28 institutions of higher learning in the stateof Florida. The Northeast and Midwest sections of the country were the nextmost popular areas with our graduating seniors. Acceptances were offeredfrom seven schools in New York; seven in Pennsylvania; five in Massachusetts;five in Illinois; and; five in Ohio.

SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED TO THE CLASS OF 2014(At the time we went to press, the following scholarships

had been offered to our graduating seniors.)

Jasmine Pearl Alson Florida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright Futures

Katherine Sarah Biggs Florida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright Futures

Rebecca Alexandra Blais Academic Scholarship, Holy Cross CollegeAcademic Scholarship, Notre Dame UniversityAcademic Scholarship, St. Mary’s CollegeAcademic Scholarship, Stetson UniversityAcademic Scholarship, Tulane UniversityMatthew & Andrew Akin Foundation AwardAnonymous GrantFlorida Academic Scholarship, Florida Bright FuturesMerit Scholarship, Furman UniversityNational Honor Society Scholarship, NationalAssociation of Secondary School Principals

Joseph Boden Academic Endowed Grants, Farleigh DickinsonUniversity

Academic Grant, Illinois CollegeAcademic Grants, Saint Vincent CollegeAcademic Opportunity Award, Illinois CollegeAcademic/Participation Scholarship, Sterling CollegeAdmissions Scholarship, Crown CollegeAlma Award, Alma CollegeCatholic High School Scholarship, Saint VincentCollege

Crown Grant, Crown CollegeFerrum Merit Grants, Ferrum CollegeFlorida Tech Scholarship, Florida Institute ofTechnology

Founders Scholarship, Averett UniversityHighland Award, Alma CollegeRobert D. Swanson Award, Alma College

Justin Paul Bryant Academic/Athletic Scholarships, Ave MariaUniversity

Academic Scholarship, Florida Institute ofTechnology

Academic Scholarship, Stetson UniversityFlorida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright Futures

Jackson Thomas Bush Florida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright Futures

David Crespo III Recognition Award, Adelphi University

Olivia Ann Del Guercio Florida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright Futures

Andrew James Elder Academic Scholarship, Barry UniversityAcademic Scholarship, Catholic University ofAmerica

Adam Davis Farmer Catholic School Scholarship, Benedictine UniversityPresident’s Scholarship, Aurora UniversityPresident’s Scholarship, Benedictine UniversityPresident’s Scholarship, Florida Institute ofTechnology

President’s Scholarship, Roosevelt University

Benjamin Charles Ginsberg Academic Scholarship, Allegheny CollegeAcademic Scholarship, Furman UniversityAcademic Scholarship, Stetson UniversityAcademic Scholarship, University of MaineFlorida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright Futures

Sarah Katherine Hollman Academic Scholarship, Florida State UniversityAcademic Scholarship, Rollins CollegeBell Tower Scholarship, Furman UniversityEarly Filer Scholarship, Stetson UniversityFlorida Academic Scholarship, Florida Bright FuturesLegacy Scholarship, Stetson UniversityPresidential Scholarship, Elon UniversityPresidential Scholarship, Stetson UniversityPresidential Scholarship, Wofford CollegeSilver Scholarship, New College of Florida

Alyssa Marie Husbands Florida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright FuturesKnights of Columbus Scholarship, Sacred HeartCatholic Church

Presidential Scholarship, Stetson UniversityPresidential Scholarship, University of Tampa

Sidney Marie Jackson Academic Scholarship, Johns Hopkins UniversityCamras Scholarship, Illinois Institute of TechnologyDirector’s Award, University of South FloridaFlorida Academic Award, Stetson UniversityFlorida Academic Scholarship, Florida Bright FuturesFlorida Resident Grant, Stetson UniversityHonors College Scholarship, University of SouthFlorida

Eugene McCall Memorial ScholarshipPresident’s Scholarship, University of MiamiPresidential Scholarship, Stetson UniversityTwelve-Year Student Grant, Music TeachersAssociation

Ashnel Dorey Jean-Mary Dean’s Scholarship, Saint Michael’s CollegeDirector’s Award, University of South FloridaEdmundite Scholarship, Saint Michael’s CollegeFlorida Academic Scholarship, Florida Bright FuturesGator Club of Volusia County ScholarshipHonors Scholar, University of South FloridaMerit Scholarship, Florida Gulf Coast UniversityPresidential Scholarship, Stetson UniversityPresidential Scholarship, University of TampaPresident’s Gold Scholarship, Baylor UniversityPresident’s Gold Scholarship, Florida Gulf CoastUniversity

Kathryn Nicole Kehr Florida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright FuturesMerit Scholarship, University of South FloridaOut-of-State Scholarship, Colorado State UniversityOut-of-State Scholarship, Fordham UniversityPresident’s Award, Colorado State University

Kevin Patrick Spilman Kelly Academic Scholarship, Barry UniversityAcademic Scholarship, Belhaven UniversityAcademic Scholarship, Saint Vincent’s CollegeAcademic Scholarship, Stetson UniversityAcademic Scholarship, University of DaytonAcademic Scholarship, University of South FloridaSt. Vincent de Paul Award in Memory of AnthonyCipparone

Brantley Egan Lansberry Florida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright FuturesMerit Scholarship, Furman University

Alexandria Jayne Leek Florida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright Futures

Amy Lynne Leslie Academic Award, University of AlabamaBonner Program AwardFlorida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright FuturesHome Depot Scholarship AwardPresidential Scholarship, Stetson UniversityVolusia County Music Teachers Association Award

Alan Jonathan McFarland Academic Scholarship, Nova Southeastern UniversityAthletic Scholarship, Embry-Riddle AeronauticalUniversity

Athletic Scholarship, University of FloridaAthletic Scholarship, Nova Southeastern UniversityEmerald Academic Scholarship, Eastern MichiganUniversity

Golden Eagle Academic Scholarship, Embry-RiddleAeronautical University

Holiday Rambler Recreational Vehicle Club AwardIn-State Tuition Offer, Eastern Michigan University

Sam Alan McIntire Academic Grant, Stetson UniversityAcademic Scholarship, Saint Leo UniversityFaculty Scholarship, Stetson UniversityFlorida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright Futures

Andrew James Miceli Florida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright Futures

Joseph S. Mortensen Florida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright Futures

Madeline Louise Musante Dean’s Scholarship, Stetson University

Brienna Dominique Joely Merit Scholarship, Barry UniversityNapolitano

Isabella Valentina Amethyst Merit Scholarship, Barry UniversityNapolitano

William Thomas Oglesby Academic Scholarship, Florida State UniversityFlorida Academic Scholarship, Florida Bright Futures

Mary Victoria Perry Knights of Columbus Scholarship, Auxiliary #6584

Marissa Luz Rodriguez Dean’s Scholarship, Stetson University

David Phillip Santa Maria Academic Scholarship, Chestnut Hill CollegeAcademic Scholarship, Cleveland State UniversityAcademic Scholarship, Seton Hall UniversityDean’s Scholarship, Stetson UniversityMedallion Scholarship, Stetson University

Gabriel Kevin Silveira First United Methodist Academic Award

Valerie Pauline Florida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Bright FuturesVillafañe-Mercado Goizueta Foundation Award, Berry College

Academic Grant, Berry CollegeAcademic Grant, Case Western Reserve UniversityAcademic Grant, Embry-Riddle AeronauticalUniversity

Academic Grant, Smith CollegeAcademic Grant, Syracuse University

Jason Paul West Florida Academic Scholarship, Florida Bright FuturesPresident’s Scholarship, University of Miami

Zhang Mingxin Academic Scholarship, Embry-Riddle AeronauticalUniversity

Women of Excellence Scholarship, Embry-RiddleAeronautical University

Total Value of Scholarships Offered ........$4,848,376.00

OUR SCHOOL PRAYER

Dear Lord,We ask that You bless the community of Father Lopez Catholic High School.

Help us to uphold the virtues instilled here in Your name,That we may grow in knowledge and faith,

So that we may better serve You in all that we do.We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Written byThomas Makowski ’06

Mrs. Marie D. Gallo-LethcoeB.A., University of DaytonM.A., University of Dayton

Mrs. Christine Hauptle, C.P.A.B.S., University of Georgia

Deacon Ruthven E. JackieAMusTCL, Trinity CollegeM.A., Saint Leo University

Mr. Allan Rubenstein KnightB.A., University of UtahM.S.E., University of Central Florida

Miss Katelyn C. Landorf ’05B.A., University of Northern Colorado

Mrs. Valerie Mann-GrossoB.A., Florida International UniversityM.S., Barry UniversityM.A., University of Central Florida

Mr. Nelson MatthewB.A., Georgia State University

Mrs. Tina A. MathewsB.A., Saint Xavier UniversityM.A., Lewis UniversityM.Ed., Lewis University

Mr. Kelly T. McCabeB.A., McMaster University

Ms. Erin McDougallB.A., State University of New Yorkat New Paltz

M.S., Long Island University

Mr. Edward MillerB.A., Pennsylvania State UniversityM.S.E., University of Central Florida

Ms. Janella M. MinottaB.S., Indiana State UniversityB.S., University of Connecticut

Mrs. DaliaYork PattersonB.A., University of Florida

Mr. Darrell E. RadfordB.A., University of South FloridaM.S., University of South Florida

Mr. Bradley R. RidenourB.A., Flagler College

Mrs. Megan E. RinyuB.S., University of Central Florida

Ms. Amanda M. SarasuaB.S., University of Florida

Mrs. Teresa M. SchwarzB.A., Stetson UniversityM.A., Middlebury College

Mrs. Roberta J. SnyderB.A., University of Central Florida

Mrs.Wendy L. TherrienB.A., Allegheny CollegeM.A., University of Massachusetts Amherst

Mrs. Jamie L.WadeB.A., Florida State University

Mrs. Heather Voges Welch ’02 B.A., Florida State University

Miss Rebecca A.WestcottB.A., Messiah CollegeM.A.T.,Wheaton College

Mrs. Ivy M.WickB.A., Barry UniversityM.A., Barry University

Ms. Rebecca E. WuamettB.S., University of FloridaM.A., University of Central Florida

Mr. Steven C. ZelentyB.A., Glassboro State CollegeM.S., Nova Southeastern University

Mr. Musset D. ApollonB.S., University of Florida

Mr. Scott C. BayB.A., University of CincinnatiM.S.E., Xavier University

Mr. Trevor S. BerryhillB.A., University of South Carolina Upstate

Mrs. Lisa Lloyd Blais ’77B.A., Furman UniversityM.F.A., Southern Illinois Universityat Edwardsville

Ms. Samantha L. Blakely, ATCB.A., North Central College

Ms. Anabel Borbón B.A., University of Central FloridaM.A., Middlebury College

Mr. Daniel E. BoydB.A., University of Central FloridaM.T.S., Boston College

Mrs. Regina BoydB.A., University of Central FloridaM.A., Rollins College

Mr. Noah M. CabiacB.S., Florida State University

Ms. Catharine H. ColwellB.S., Stetson University

Mr. Derek P. DalyB.A., University of Florida

Mr. Jason D. DunlapB.A., University of MarylandM.S., California University of Pennsylvania

Mrs. Patricia C. EverettB.A., Ball State University

Mrs. Carol M. FarmerB.S., Florida State University

Mrs. Jane FountainB.S., Stetson University

ADMINISTRATIONFACULTY & STAFF

Dr. Michael J. Coury, PresidentB.S.B.A., Creighton UniversityM.S.E., Drake UniversityEd.S., Drake UniversityEd.D., Drake University

Mr. Lee C. Sayago, PrincipalB.S., University of Central FloridaM.Ed., University of Central Florida

Ms. Patricia Dailey, Assistant PrincipalB.S., Stetson UniversityM.A., Stetson UniversityEd.S., Stetson University

Ms. Katherine M. BlaisAdmissions Officer

Mrs. Cynthia BrennanHuman Resources Coordinator

Mr. David W. CastetterTechnology Assistant

Mrs. Janet Mouton CraneBookkeeper

Mr. Michael J. EverettMedia Center Supervisor

Mr. Charles E. Greenwood Transportation Coordinator

Mr. William J. HillFacilities Manager

Mr. Bharat KapadiaTransportation Driver

ADMINISTRATIVE & AUXILIARY SUPPORT

Mrs. Monica LafleurFront Office Assistant

Mrs. Monica Bryan MacIntyre ’84 Alumni Director/AdministrativeAssistant to the Athletic Director

Mrs. Debra J. PetersonMedia Center Aide

Mr. Roger ReichardTransportation Driver

Mrs. Carmen C. RiveraAdmissions Coordinator

Mrs. Nan TarasiFront Office Manager/Administrative Assistant to the Principal

Mr. David ZoldFood Services Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Father Lopez Catholic High School, Inc. is a Florida not-for-profit corporationdirectly affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando, Florida. Thecorporation is established to carry out the teaching ministry of the Catholic Church.The Bishop of Orlando is the sole Member of the Corporation. He appointsmembers to serve on the Board of Directors for the school corporation.

The Most Reverend John G. Noonan, Bishop of Orlando, has appointed the memberslisted below to serve on the Board of Directors for the 2013—2014 school year.

Rev. Thomas Barrett, Chairperson

Ms. MaryEllen Osterndorf ’83, Vice Chairperson

Mr. John S. Olivari, C.P.A., Treasurer

Mr. M. Brady Lessard, Member

Mr. Henry P. Fortier, Member (ex officio)

Mrs. Carol Brinati, Member (ex officio)

Dr. Michael J. Coury, President (ex officio)

Mr. Lee C. Sayago, Vice President (ex officio)

WHO WAS FATHER LOPEZ?

When the Diocese of St. Augustine opened the new Catholic high school in DaytonaBeach in 1959, it named the school after a Father Lopez. Who was our namesake, andwhat was his connection to this area? The following is a brief summary of the historicalevents as they relate to Father Lopez and our Catholic roots.

Nearly 400 years before our school was established, Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilésled a Spanish expedition to Florida. The fleet chaplain on the expedition was FatherFrancisco López de Mendoza Grajales.

On September 8, 1565, General Menéndez came ashore at the site of the TimucuanIndian village. Father López had come ashore the night before. When Menéndez arrived,Father López carried a large cross to greet him at the location that is now known as St. Augustine.

Father López is recognized as being the Catholic priest who conducted the first Mass atthe first permanent mission and settlement in what would become the United States ofAmerica. This event and site in St. Augustine are now marked by a 208 foot stainlesssteel cross. The large cross in the center of our school campus plaza is also symbolic ofthe cross Father López carried to greet General Menéndez.

ABOUT OUR HIGH SCHOOL

The roots of our Catholic high school can be traced to 1924. At that time, a Catholic high schoolwas established as part of the St. Paul Parish School in Daytona Beach. As the population grew,the Diocese of St. Augustine opened a central Catholic high school in 1959. Father Lopez, locatedbetween Madison and Mason on the eastside of Nova Road, met the needs of the community fornearly fifty years.

As the facilities at our landlocked campus began to decline, so did enrollment. Today, we remainindebted to the community leaders and other friends of Lopez who gave of their time, talentand treasure to make our campus on LPGA Boulevard a reality. Their efforts, as well as thesupport from the Diocese of Orlando, provided new life for our school and the students weserve. Our record-breaking enrollment has grown by more than sixty percent since our move tothe new campus in 2008.

In the early years, the high school staff was comprised of diocesan priests and women religiousfrom the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt (NY). Although priests and sisters no longer teach at theschool, we are blessed to have dedicated lay educators who are committed to the school’s missionof pursuing excellence within the Catholic tradition. The current faculty members have beentrained at 40 different colleges and universities located in 16 states, as well as in Canada andEngland. Collectively, they have earned a total of 28 graduate degrees.

Since our founding in 1959, some 3,800 young men and women have graduated from FatherLopez. Most have continued their studies at the collegiate level and beyond. Today, our alumniare recognized as leaders in their parishes, communities, families and chosen careers. We areproud to note that this year’s graduating class includes five children of alumni, adding to ourgrowing number of second-generation Green Wave.

In 2013, enrollment reached the 400 student milestone for the first time since 1985. History wasmade this year when an all-time record number of students (438) attended Father Lopez. Anotherrecord will be set in a few months when over 470 students start the new school year at Lopez.

The diverse and talented student population at Lopez comes to us from 33 different zip codes inDaytona Beach and surrounding communities in Volusia, Flagler and Seminole counties. Ourcultural diversity is enhanced with the addition of international students from China, DominicanRepublic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Switzerland and Vietnam.

Throughout these past 55 years, the school has pursued a noble mission. Father Lopez educatorspartner with parents, the first teachers of their children, to share values, doctrine and knowledge.Working together, we develop spiritual, physical and moral gifts through academic excellencewhile we continue to provide a valued education that prepares today’s student for their tomorrows.