8th Grade Pin Ceremony Address
(This speech was given on May 3, 2018 to faculty, staff, administrators, Jesuit priests, family, and students from the class of 2022 by Tomas Duque.)
I am honored to be here today speaking on behalf of the class of 2022 at the eighth grade Pin Mass. Belen is known for its prestigious academics, but itis more than just a school. Belen students are also more than just classmates, they become brothers. I am proud to call the students in the class of 2022 my brothers and to be a member of this class. In the past three years of my life, I have made many lifelong friends as I expect many of my classmates (you) have too. I remember my first days at Belen, feeling like an outsider alongside 200 others. I had my little group of elementary school friends, but I didn’t know anybody else. I just didn’t fit in yet. And so the process of making Belen my home began. Sixth grade was all about getting settled in, making new friends, and trying out new things. Personally, I joined the cross country team, which was the first running team I had ever been a part of. The faculty and staff always had a sheer attitude of positivity. They were there to guide us every step of the way. As we hoped and expected, the sixth grade lock in was an exciting, bonding experience for all of us. By then, I knew Belen was a fun and exciting place full of friends and most importantly, brothers. In our seventh grade year, we knew how to get around the school and we knew the majority of our classmates. Our 7th grade year teachers helped us become more independent. We were always learning more about ourselves and each other. Friendships grew stronger and new friendships were formed. Finally, we reached our eighth grade year, where we have been learning about the importance of responsibility, of being leaders. Our 8th grade teachers have treated us like young men expecting only the best from us. Throughout this year we have shared many experiences that has united us as a class such as the Close Up trip, Father and Son Day, today’s Pin Mass and we look forward to going to Gradventure tomorrow. These events will always be a special part of our 8th grade year. These past three years have prepared us to enter a new chapter in our lives, high school but more importantly it has helped us to grow spiritually.
Throughout middle school, our Theology classes have taught us about the Catholic Church, the Jesuit way of life, how to be a true man for others, and to do everything for the greater glory of God. Although our theology class is where we focus on our spiritual education, we have been given many other opportunities to grow in faith. Several eighth graders were inducted into Christian life communities this year. CLC is a time set apart for students, such as myself, to talk with one another about the way they see God in their lives and how to grow in faith. Also this year, close to 100 8th graders were confirmed at Belen for the first time in 27 years. Service plays a major role in in our spiritual lives as well. We have each been expected to complete our service hours every year and some of us have been able to go with other Belen students to Camillus House to serve the homeless and to learn about their stories.
As we each look back in our personal middle school years, we will find many people that have helped make these years memorable for us. I am sure each of you has been encouraged, helped or impacted by a faculty or staff member. I want to thank all our teachers that helped shape us into the men we are today. I especially want to thank my middle school cross country coach, Victor Arrieta. Over the past three years, I have manifested a friendship with him unlike any other. He has taught me many important moral lessons that I will hold with me forever. I would also like to thank the most accepting and joyous person I know, Mrs. Maria D Alonso, also known as, Momma Bear. Mrs. Alonso is an exceptionally well rounded woman who always tries to engage with her students. She does not hesitate to take some time from her English class to teach us virtues. It is because of faculty members like these that we are properly prepared to enter high school. I encourage you to thank those teachers that have made a difference in your life.
I want to thank our parents. To start off they made it possible for us to be here at Belen. Thank you for the sacrifices you make so that we are able to come to this great school. Without our parents daily help, love, and support, we would not be nearly as successful as we are today. Lastly, I would like to thank the class of 2022 for making these past three years special. Each member of our class has a unique personality which together makes our class complete. I hope that over the next four years, our bond only strengthens and that our brotherhood lasts a lifetime. I look forward to sharing my high school years with all of you. To conclude I leave you with one of my favorite quotes “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” As we move forward may we always remember that our success lies in our unity.
Congratulations to the Class of 2022.
BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain. The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline. In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty. The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow. Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.