Our 2021 Graduation!

Jun 18, 2021 | Cougar Chronicles

The Cristo Rey Columbus Class of 2021: A Story to Tell for Years to Come

Following a year unlike any other, our students, faculty and staff were resolute in their commitment to achieving success despite obstacles related to the pandemic. This year’s graduation ceremony took place at Mershon Auditorium on the campus of The Ohio State University. The energy inside Mershon Auditorium was palpable, particularly when classmates, family, friends, faculty, staff, speakers and board members made every student feel special with thunderous applause when students walked center stage to receive their high school diploma.

The commencement address was delivered by Michael Lawson, President of OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, and it was inspiring. When Mr. Lawson spoke about being turned down for a job time-after-time, only to get that same job due to his perseverance, it was a perfect message of relentless determination. Hopefully our Class of 2021 will turn his insight into action if and when they face adversity in academic and/or professional settings in the future.

Mr. Lawson closed his commencement address with a simple charge to the Class of 2021:

“Go out and make your life a positive story worth telling,” Mr. Lawson said.

The Class of 2021 Valedictorian was Melissa Yankson Nyarko, who finished her encouraging speech by calling the first name of every one of her fellow seniors; a very special moment in the ceremony. Co-Salutatorians Sanaa Kamau and Zoe’ Haithcock did a great job in their roles during the ceremony. We could not be prouder of the graduates.

Of the 72 graduates in the 2021 class, there are two students we’d like to highlight: Brenna Blankson and Emmanuel Frimpong.

Breanna Blankson received a full-ride to Johns Hopkins University. This past spring, Breanna participated in our Coffee & Conversations virtual event with her PWSP supervisor. At the conclusion of their heartfelt and joyful conversation, Breanna expressed her dream to become the seventh African-American woman to be a cardiothoracic surgeon in the United States.

Knowing Breanna, she’ll make it happen!

Emmanuel Frimpong will be attending Ohio Dominican University where he will be continuing his soccer career! While it was a shortened season, the Cristo Rey Columbus boys soccer team earned an impressive 5-1 record. As a matter of fact, Emmanuel was the team’s leading scorer and he also led the team in assists.

There are 70 more terrific stories like this from the Cristo Rey Columbus Class of 2021.

For the fifth year in a row, 100 percent of Cristo Rey Columbus seniors were accepted into at least one college or university. The 72 students of the Class of 2021 received 504 letters of acceptance from more than 140 colleges and universities across the nation and have earned over $8.16 million in academic scholarships to fund their college education over the next four years.

Supporting our students pays incredible dividends in helping pave their path to success in high school, college and beyond.

Congratulations to the Cristo Rey Columbus High School Class of 2021!