CHARLESTON — Bishop England High School graduated 161 seniors at a June 2 ceremony at the Gaillard Auditorium. Fifty-four of those graduates won a total of 160 college scholarships worth nearly $1 million dollars.
Patrick Michael Duffy, United States District judge, delivered the commencement address. Katherine “Kate” E. Worley, the first honor graduate, was valedictorian for the class of ’97; Sarah H. Rackley, second honor graduate, delivered the salutatorian address.
Chad C. Aboe and Claire D. Donato were recipients of the Rector’s Rings as the outstanding seniors.
Michelle T. Timmons received the Croghan Esprit de Corps Cup; Rosemary G. DeAntonio and Michael D. Mason received the Kelly Leadership Award.
Kate Worley achieved the highest academic average for four years of high school. She is the daughter of Tom and Nancy Worley of Mount Pleasant. She is a Palmetto Fellow Scholar and received another nine scholarships and awards.
Kate is a member of the National Honor Society and has participated in numerous activities at BEHS. She is a musician, is active in her parish and worked at a law office. She will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Sarah Rackley, famed for achieving a perfect 1600 on the SAT, was also active at Bishop England. She was editor of both the school newspaper and the yearbook and is a member of the NHS. She lettered in track and volunteered in the community all through her secondary school years.
Sarah is the daughter of Mary and David Rackley of Charleston. Her scholarships totaled $349,330, even though she won’t use all of them. She will attend Wake Forest University.