Alumni

Graduation 2007

Speaker Ambassador George Haley addressing the Academy's third graduating class on the "power of a smile."

The Washington Jesuit Academy graduated 20 students on Thursday, May 31, 2007 during the school's third graduation ceremony. Former Ambassador to The Gambia George W. Haley addressed the graduating class. His central message was that "for all of us, life continues to be a learning experience."

In his remarks, Ambassador Haley noted that the most important word in the WJA Honor Code was "myself", and that "all that you can do begins with yourself." He also spoke to the power of a smile, and that sends such a positive message to all of those around you. Ambassador Haley closed by stating that "he could not praise the administration, faculty, Board, parents and guardians too much. All of them – and you – are helping to build a better community, a better nation and a better world."

Prior to the beginning of the ceremony, President Bill Whitaker presented the first annual Founders' Award to Headmaster John Hoffman. The Founders' Award is awarded annually to that person or persons whose dedication, commitment and service to the Washington Jesuit Academy, its students and faculty, recalls the inspiration, courage, generosity and faith of the men and women who founded The Academy.

Headmaster John Hoffman helping with the graduation preparations for Kevin Britton.

The Washington Jesuit Academy traditionally awards three special individual honors at Graduation. This year's recipients of those awards are:

Top Scholar Award – Markus Franklin

The Top Scholar Award is given to the student with the highest GPA.

Ignatius Loyola Award – Troy Presbury

The Ignatius Loyola Award is given to the student that most clearly represents the ideals of the WJA student in Academics, Activities, Behavior, Attitude and Service.

Pedro Arrupe, SJ Award – Saizon Mathis

Pedro Arrupe, SJ Award is given to the student that has shown the most growth and improvement at the WJA.

As a group, the graduating class achieved many successes over their time at the Washington Jesuit Academy, including reading over 1490 books over 3 years and participating in service projects with several other middle schools in the area.

Members of the WJA Class of 2007 have been accepted to the following high schools:

• Bishop McNamara
• Bishop O'Connell
• Bullis School
• Christchurch School
• DeMatha
• Don Bosco Cristo Rey School
• Georgetown Prep
• Gonzaga College High School
• Good Counsel
• Mercersburg Academy
• St. Andrews Episcopal
• St. James School
• The Pingree School
• The Blue Ridge School

The WJA Congratulates the Class of 2007 on their accomplishments and wishes them a tremendous level of success in their next educational steps.

Graduation 2006

The Washington Jesuit Academy graduated 18 students on Friday, June 2, 2006 during their second graduation ceremony. John Thompson III, Head Coach of Georgetown University Men's Basketball was the speacial guest speaker.

John Thomspon III reiterated the message of hard work and told the graduating class the "four years from now, I want to see you guys graduating from high school and then college but it will not be fun or easy."

The WJA thanks Coach Thomspon for being a part of our special day!

Congratulations to the Class of 2006!