The GOAT of Graduating Classes?

It is with joy that I address the 61st graduating class of John F. Kennedy Catholic High School.

This class has been a favorite throughout the years with teachers & staff, fans of Kennedy, and well…yourselves. This week as you have reflected on your time here, I have heard many graduates proclaim that the Class of 2025 is the GOAT– the greatest of all time– to walk the halls of our beloved school.

What makes a GOAT? Ask Mr. Klockner, he will tell you about Tom Brady’s 7 rings; Mrs. Welch-Young might extol the virtues of Shakespeare however unserious he may be and Mrs. Morrow would debate Albert Einstein is not just a physics icon, but the GOAT of the scientific community. No one can seem to agree on who the Greatest of All Time men’s basketball player is though– LeBron James or Michael Jordan. What makes the case for either?…let’s look at the key points of this argument to see if you, the Class of 2025, are the GOAT of Kennedy. The first point is:

1. LeBron’s Longevity and Consistency: I noticed many social media posts of photos of you on your first day of Kindergarten wearing the Kennedy uniform. Upon further investigation, roughly ⅓ of you have attended Kennedy since those earliest days! Your dedication to our school family makes this a special place. While some have left and more have joined this journey, having such a large core group of students be together since the beginning has made you strong. This is your home and you treat it as such through your blue pride and dedication. 

The second key point for GOAT consideration:

2. MJ’s Scoring Dominance: Athletically, members of this graduating class have amassed 2 state championships in both golf and cheer; a second place finish at state for the relay team, a hurdler on his way to state next weekend!, two regional championships in football,  2 regional finalists in boys basketball, a district championship in both girls soccer and girls basketball,  3 district titles for baseball and multiple conference championships across the board. They are all-time school record holders and all-state award winners; truly championship-caliber athletes. The scoring dominance of the Class of 2025 simply cannot be questioned. And while scoring dominance is important, to achieve true greatness, any legend must be well-rounded. Let’s consider the Class of 2025 in terms of:

3. LeBron’s All-Around Game: Besides those athletic accomplishments, members of this senior class helped to found SOAR, our “Serve Others and Rise” service club, which surpassed 1000 hours of giving this year. We have seniors who competed at both the state and national level at Speech & Debate, winners of the Law Day Mock Trial team, and producers of the first multi-segment WJFK mini-series. Many were stars on the Fred Hoover stage during our theatre productions as comedians, singers, dancers, and musicians.  We have 2 Diocesan Eagle of the Cross winners and two who organized a student and staff bible study group. Additionally, 20% of the class earned a 4.0 GPA or higher and together earned almost $10M in offered scholarships. Service, faith, academics, and a commitment to the arts; I’d say all of those qualities make them pretty versatile.

The last key point we will consider is harder to define. There is no data, there are no stats, there is only anecdotal evidence to examine. 

4. MJ’s Killer Instinct and Clutch Gene: This is the ability to stay calm and focused when the outside noise is loud and the stakes are high. This doesn’t just happen in sports; this happens in life. When we consider the scoring dominance and all-around game that the Class of 2025 has shown, the noise surrounding that success was bound to be high. People cheer if you misstep, call you an imposter. And still, you rise to the occasion time and again. Being clutch means smart decision making. Deciding on your future colleges and universities was a thoughtful process this year. Time and time again, I heard your final decision was based on what “felt like the right fit.” Like a great clutch performer, you have had to stay composed under stress. You survived a global pandemic. You faced what was called “the hardest math test in the world” in Financial Literacy. And against all odds, you were the first team to beat the staff in our annual Catholic school’s week volleyball game.

You have been extraordinary, even by Kennedy’s standards. As you graduate, these stories, experiences, and championships become your foundation. Manage your responsibilities with the time-management skills you’ve gained from being involved in multiple activities. Face your academic deadlines and social challenges with grace under pressure. Find something you're passionate about and pour yourself into it. Understand that God’s plan is the long game; obstacles now will give you the strength you need in the future, when you need to execute at crunch time. Be fearless. Not in a “speeding down the highway sort of way”– in a way that you believe you were made for greatness. You can and will achieve what you are meant to. 

But…. are you the GOAT? If the greatest of all time is defined by courage, integrity, and dedication then you have made a compelling case. You’ve shown up. You lifted one another up. You delivered. That’s greatness. But what truly makes a GOAT isn’t just rings or records. It’s leaving a place better than you found it. It’s inspiring those who come after you.

Class of 2025, it has been a privilege to watch you grow. You may be leaving Kennedy, but your impact here is permanent. Go with the confidence of someone who knows: the clock is winding down, the shot is yours, and you are ready. No airballs, only net.

May God Bless you always. Go be great.