Notre Dame Catholic HS of Green Pond graduated 122 seniors at its 51st commencement ceremony earlier this month in an outdoor ceremony attended by over 700 people at its Bethlehem Township campus. Unlike some previous years, in which periodic downpours soaked everyone, this year’s graduation was under sunny skies with no hints of rain. It truly is a school of faith.

Class of 2017 honorees included Dannielle Hibshman, the school’s valedictorian who will be attending Syracuse University. Salutatorian Sophia Macchia will attend Drexel University.

The other top academic scholars include Teresa Darno (St. Joseph’s University), Austin Kaulius (Naval Academy), Kevin Liang (University of Delaware), Kellie Belarmino (Boston University),Chloe Mondok (Moravian College), Kelsey Gorman (Penn State), Victoria Esposito (Kean University), Catherine Kelly (Villanova University), Leah Brown (Misericordia University), Carl Qi (University of California at Berkeley), Emily Farmer (University of Pittsburgh) and Tiana Boutros (Lehigh University).

Boutros summed things up for everyone. “Education is the most powerful weapon in the world because nobody can take it away from you.”

Annapolis Plebe Kalius said that Notre Dame gave him the opportunity to challenge himself,both as a student and as an athlete, and to grow and mature among his friends. One of those friends, Thomas Koons, will be attending the US Air Force Academy.

In addition to its academic prowess, Notre Dame’s Class of 2017 became a dangerous force on the gridiron, basketball court and in just about every sport. Its football team went from one that couldn’t win a few short years ago to one that was unable to lose.

Greg Lauray, a power forward on the basketball court, is a two-time state champ for the high jump. He will attend the University of Pittsburgh with an athletic scholarship.

Northampton County Judge Michael Koury, who himself is a Notre Dame alum and whose father and uncle were heavily involved in the Athletic Department, was on hand with his wife Elaine to see their daughter Josephine awarded her diploma. A member of the National Honor Society, she’ll be attending Lafayette.

Lehigh County Judge Jim Anthony also saw his son Matthew, a basketball standout, awarded his diploma.

Though there are only 122 graduates, they have received over $4 million in scholarship awards. Applications were accepted by 107 colleges.

Notre Dame High School is a private, co-ed Roman Catholic high school near Easton in Bethlehem Township. With an enrollment of about 570 students, taught by a 40-person faculty, the school includes 9th through 12 grades.