St. Raymond High School for Boys Celebrates the Class of 2021
On Saturday, May 22, St.
Raymond High School for Boys
held their 58th Commencement
Mass and Exercises. The
Class of 2021, consisting of 107
graduates, gathered together
at the Msgr. Tierney Auditorium
to receive their diplomas
with their families and
friends excitedly looking on.
The morning began with
Fr. James Cruz ’82, pastor of
St. Raymond Parish, leading
its seniors and their parents
in a celebratory Mass. Neol
Gutierrez, class of 2021 salutatorian,
kicked off the commencement
exercises with
a speech that spoke directly
to his fellow classmates. “We
come here today to celebrate
the hard work and dedication
us students have put
into our academics, sport
teams, clubs and student life
at St. Raymond,” Gutierrez
stated, “Throughout these
quick four years we matured
from teenagers to adulthood
while learning about the
world around us through experiences
and wisdom”. Neol
went on to quote Dr. Suess,
“We shouldn’t be sad that it
is over but rather happy that
it happened.” Neol will attend
the University of Notre Dame
in the fall as a QuestBridge
Scholarship recipient with
the intent of studying Civil
Engineering.
During the ceremony, St.
Raymond High School for
Boys awarded medals to those
who achieved top honors in
each subject as well as special
awards to students who exemplifi
ed good citizenship, character,
leadership and service.
Class valedictorian James
Pham followed with an address
to his classmates, speaking
about the spirit of the
Class of 2021. “We’ll all look
back on St. Raymond and remember
how amazing it was.
As we enter into the next chapter
of our lives, I know that in
each and every one of us is a
fi ery spirit to fi ght. In all of
our respective careers, we, as
the Class of 2021, will persevere
and succeed, making not
just everyone else proud, but
ourselves. To all of you, I say
keep fi ghting. Never give up
on your dreams. Set your path
ablaze,” Pham stated. James
will attend Cornell University
in the fall on a full four-year
scholarship with the intent of
studying Biological Sciences.
Commencement was concluded
with a fi nal send
off from principal Judith
Carew. Carew’s speech to
the Class of 2021 spoke of celebration.
“I urge you to celebrate,
not the end of the journey,
but rather the road that
you have traveled. Today, we
celebrate your years of hard
work; goals attained and successes
achieved while at St.
Raymond,” Carew said. She
continued with sharing one
last challenge with them – to
go into the world fearless and
confi dent with the intention
to always do what is right.
“I assure you today, that you
are exactly what the world
needs – good, decent, respectful,
and smart young men.
Be assured that the world
needs, now more than ever,
your courage to share with
it, both your intellect and
the goodness that is in your
hearts,” stated Mrs. Carew.
St. Raymond High School
for Boys proudly boasts that
the Class of 2021 have earned
more than $8.5 million in
scholarships and grants over
four years and have been accepted
to some of the top colleges
and universities in the
country like Cornell University,
University of Notre
Dame, Fairfi eld University,
New York University, The
Sophie Davis School of Biomedical
Education, Fordham
University and Manhattan
College just to name a few.
And only as fi tting as it
would be, the Class of 2021
ended their commencement
with the very same words as
they started their fi rst day
four years ago; “remembering
always that we are in
the holy presence of God, St.
John Baptiste de La Salle,
pray for us … St. Raymond
Nonnatus, pray for us ... Live
Jesus in our hearts … forever”.
(L-r) Raymond High School for Boys 2021 salutatorian Neol Gutierrez and
valedictorian James Pham.
THERADYNAMICS OPENS IN BAY PLAZA
On Saturday, June 12, Theradynamics opened it’s doors in Co-op City. This introduction of Theradynamics, a
sports performance lab and rehab center for athletes at the Bay Plaza Shopping Center, was met with excitement
and curiosity. Some passed by to see what was going on and to receive information on how to join. Young
people were excited to hear that they could be trained like a pro athlete. Mental and physical health is vital and
Theradynamics offers assistance in both areas. As this Covid-19 shutdown lifts, many will welcome the help to
be in the best of health with Theradynamics assistance.
(L-r) Andrew Watkins, director of strength and conditioning; Brian Melford; Andy King; and Richard Richiez, assistant
project manager at Theradynamics. Photo by Jewel Webber
From Councilman Mark Gjonaj
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J 66 UNE 18-24, 2021 BTR
It’s soon to be Father’s
Day in Council District 13,
and to celebrate the role that
all our Bronx dads have in
raising the next generation
of New Yorkers, we hosted
an afternoon tie giveaway
event in Pelham Parkway
earlier this week. It was a
great success and district
dads were able to have their
pick of a variety of ties for
every occasion.
Team Gjonaj has been
appearing at district graduations,
presenting our meritorious
graduated with NYC
Council Citations and wishing
them a future of tremendous
success. This past
Tuesday we caught PS 83’s
graduation ceremony and
hope to catch many more.
Stay tuned to our social media
and email newsletters
for our participation in the
district’s graduations.
Upcoming, Bronx Borough
President Ruben Diaz
Jr. and I will be re-introducing
the Orchard Beach
New York Salutes America
Fireworks Extravaganza on
Thursday, June 24th from 6p
to 10p. This event, sociallydistanced
of course, will include
fi reworks and music
in anticipation of July 4th.
I’d like to thank Montefi ore,
Einstein, and the Bronx
Chamber of Commerce for
their support in resurrecting
this event for the community.
It was much missed
last year!
On the legislative end, I
introduced a series of bills
at Thursday’s Stated meeting
on the topic of thirdparty
food delivery apps. I
have legislated in this space
for quite some time now,
successfully passing emergency
laws limiting commission
fees on restaurants
during the height of the pandemic
last year. These bills
will increase transparency,
ensure fair business practices
(particularly between
apps and small business restaurants),
and reduce customer
confusion. I look forward
to seeing where these
bills can go.
For any questions about
upcoming events, constituent
services, or any district
concern, please contact my
district offi ce at either (718)
931-1721 or at MGjonaj@
council.nyc.gov. Thank
you, stay safe, and enjoy the
changing of the season.
/council.nyc.gov