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2018 Baccalaureate Mass Speeches - Stephanie Cacace

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Stephanie Cacace's experiences of service were very important parts of her high school experience and will chart her future. In addition, the special relationships with her teachers have shown her what type of teacher she wants to strives to be in her career.

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Our final speaker this evening is a young lady who has left an indelible mark on the St. Edmund Prep family. Below her photograph in the yearbook is a quote from The Little Mermaid which asks, "Who says my dreams have to stay my dreams?" Well, I can tell you some since day one of her freshman year I have been privileged to have a front row seat watching as this young woman worked tirelessly making her dreams and the dreams of so many others come true and enriching so many lives in the process. One of those dreams was to become a successful student athlete. On the volleyball court she has been part of three division winning teams and the school's first City Championship since Mrs. Vulpis' 1987 team. As a player in our softball program her teams earned a share at least of a Diocesan title each season and she will conclude her high school athletic career with an appearance in the CHSAA City Championship Softball Game next Wednesday, 4:30 Always concerned with the well-being of those around her, another dream that this young lady had was to accompany her peers along their journey, trying to make the lives of others just a bit better. As an Emmaus Retreat Senior Team Leader and a member of our Summer Outreach Project, she has willingly shared her faith and givien of her time in service to others. Her energetic spirit and passion allow her to model the gospel values that we hold so dear here The Prep. Perhaps the most lasting contribution that this young lady has made to the school community is reflected in the two pink and white banners in the corner of this gymnasium. At the end of her sophomore year she came to me with another dream. She wanted to partner with an organization called The Sideout Foundation which teams with the volleyball community to inspire science and hope in the match against breast cancer. So, she set up shop in the athletic office, more than once threw me away from my desk so she could have some space to work, she took the reins for this initiative and spearheaded a successful Dig Pink Day. But, part of dreams is that there's always another one; always the opportunity to dream bigger. And so, this year she wasn't satisfied with a Dig Pink Day, but encouraged us to have a Dig Pink Month. The entire month of October was filled with Dig Pink events that were all wildly successful and overall these efforts culminated the donation of more than $7,000 to The SideOut Foundation over the past two years. This fall, she will continue making her dreams and the dreams of so many others, I'm sure, come true as a member of the Seton Service and Leadership Program at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. It is my honor to introduce you all to Stephanie Cacace. Good evening Mrs. McGinnis, Ms. McEvoy, Mr. Raphael, faculty, parents, my fellow seniors, and honored guests. It is such an amazing feeling to stand in front of all of you tonight. I remember looking around this very gym are incoming freshman brunch thinking "Wow, there's so many people here and there's no way I could be friends with all of them. Now, here we are four years later and I can stand here with a smile on my face knowing that I have, in fact, become friends with all of you. But it didn't stop there. I've become so close with the faculty and administration here as well. The faculty and administration have shown me the whole new meaning to the word teacher. A teacher is defined as someone who instructs and guides a person studies. Over my four years here at St. Edmund, it has been proven that faculty exceed that definition by a mile. Sure, I've learned countless lessons in math and science, but the best lessons I've learned have come from outside the classroom. As Mr. Grillo said, last year in particular, the athletic office became my niche at The Prep. Yes, it's true I was already familiar with Mr Grillo and Mr. Wiatre because I've been a student-athlete since I stepped foot into this building as a freshman. This last year they opened up a world of opportunities for me. In the very beginning of my junior year I approached Mr. Grillo with a proposition. I wanted to host Dig Pink Rallies to help fight against breast cancer. Mr. Grillo knew this is something I am very passionate about and that I wasn't asking; I was telling him we had to do it he didn't have a choice. From that day forward I lived in the athletic office. There we spent time planning our fundraiser. Mr. Grillo, Mr. Wiatre, my coach Megan, and my volleyball team help me to do more than you could imagine. By the end of October we had raised over $2,000 to benefit the SideOut Foundation, founders of the Dig Pink Rally Initiative. I have never felt more accomplished or humbled by such an experience and all of my life. By being in this building, surrounded by such amazing faculty and students, I was able to make that happen. Both Mr. Grillo and Mr. Wiatre were right behind me every step of the way to help me with absolutely everything that I could have asked for. These fundraisers really ignited a flame in my heart for charity and helping others and I think it's fair to say I had no plans on stopping anytime soon. That summer, I was given the opportunity to go on the Summer Outreach Initiative to help relieve the poverty-stricken streets of Germantown, Philadelphia. This was yet another opportunity that I'm so grateful SEP has presented me with. That week I worked hand in hand with my peers and the Summer Outreach Team to work in soup kitchens painting Elementary School yards, sorting clothes, and visiting retirement homes. This just became another experience I got to share with my family here at St. Edmund. Not only has St. Edmund given me a family and experiences that will always have a place in my heart, but the educators in this building have put me on the path I want to be on for college. After having spent 4 years learning and growing here I've come to realize that teaching is definitely the right path for me. The experiences and relationships I've formed with my teachers have shown me the kind of educator I want to be. St. Edmund has allowed me to not only grow, but to grow up into the young adult that stands in front of you tonight. I never believed anyone when they said this would be the fastest four years of my life. I've made the mistake of blinking and now it's all coming to an end. I'm so lucky to have something as special as this; to have something that is so hard to say goodbye to. But, that's the greatest thing about home. You're always welcome back anytime and I can't wait for the day that I get to come back home and reciprocate the goodness that SEP has given unto me that I can now give on to other students, especially those who have the steadfast spirit not just ask Mr. Grillo to do something, but to tell him we have to. Congratulations to the Class of 2018!

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2018 Baccalaureate Mass Speeches - Stephanie Cacace

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