Norwich - Mingling with "unforgettable" classmates in a close-knit learning environment is what Class President Mark Baillargeon said he treasured most when he addressed St. Bernard High School's Class of 2011 Friday night.

The relatively small class of 74 graduates from the Uncasville Catholic school listened intently after receiving their diplomas at St. Patrick's Cathedral - the young women dressed in red caps and gowns, the young men in slate gray. David Scott is class valedictorian; Erin Amarello is salutatorian.

"Today, I can easily go to any lunch table and talk to my classmates and not feel uncomfortable at all," Baillargeon said. "That's what makes this class so special."

He joked that each 42-minute class "seemed like an eternity," yet four years of study "flew by."

His classmate, Class Orator JaJai Quinn, an honor student, musician, tennis player and cross country runner, said she owed her success to the school itself, and received an exceptional education because of dedicated teachers filled with "compassion, simple trust (and) zeal."

Bishop Michael R. Cote related Pope Benedict's recent discussion of the Gospel of St. Mark, in which a young, wealthy man asks Jesus Christ, "What must I do to gain everlasting life?"

The answer, "Come follow me," can be found in every graduate's quest to live life to the fullest while asking themselves that singular question, Cote said.

"What makes a life successful," he said, is to "never be afraid to ask those questions, because they reflect the depth of your heart."

Before the ceremony got under way, Scott Blevons of Canterbury said his stepson, Zachary Pierce, has matured while at St. Bernard's. The 6'9" Pierce will be attending the University of Pennsylvania on a partial basketball scholarship and participate in youth ministries, his stepfather said.

Graduation "is a big accomplishment for him," Blevons said.

After the ceremony, Ryan Newsome of Mystic and Amarello of Griswold described plans to attend the University of Connecticut at Avery Point and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, respectively. Amarello, who pulled down a handful of top awards in disciplines that included science and math, said her high school career went by fast.

"It's kind of bittersweet," added Newsome, "but at the same time, it's really great to know we've all gone together through these years. It really means a lot to me. It's joyful."

p.daddona@theday.com

The graduates

Erin Keegan Amarello, Asia V. Anderson, Scott William Aument Jr., Mark Andrew Baillargeon, Kyle Royce Bean, Hannah Langworthy Benoit, Daniel Patrick Berry, Alexandra Jacqueline Bousquet, Robert Hall Burnside V, Nelson Jose Chalas, Kelsey Elizabeth Claspell, Ana Maria Cruz, Ryan Michael Doherty, Danielle Marie Edwards, Thomas Patrick Engel, Julia Anne Evola, Danielle Ann Franciosi, Hillary Elizabeth Gannon, Ryan David Gazlay, Wesley Joseph Gingerella, Jacqueline Alexa Giraldo, Emily A. Glavan, William Thomas Griffin III, Rubson Guimaraes, James Braxton Haig, Michael Paul Hanna, Sean Patrick Hanrahan, Clarissa Marie Hawk, Christina Frances Hoadley, Alsandy Nickson Jacot, Jillian Elizabeth Kelly, Greggory Anderson Kirkpatrick, Kristin Marie Langston, Clara Shorey Leuze.

Daniel J. Maine, Jared Lucas Mangano, Ronald R. Mazurkiewicz Jr., Alison Ann McGuckin, Timothy Philip Neilan, Ryan Hall Newsome, Charles Nowak, Zachary Norbert Mark O'Friel, Danielle Jeannette Olsen, Nikolaus Arthur Pellegrino, Sarah Elizabeth Louise Petersen, Zachary Philip Pierce, Nicholas Earle Pike, Maura Elizabeth Pitluck, Sarah Marie Plisinski, JaJai Elizabeth Quinn, Brett Robert Rankowitz, Mary Claire Reagan, Catharine Cummings Satti, Elizabeth Mary-Margaret Saunders, Anna Elizabeth Savitsky, John B. Schomaker, David Franciose Scott, Chelsea Marie Shirshac, Brandon Michael Smith, Brandon Steven St. Jean, Paul Joseph Steinhagen, James Patrick Stowe Jr., Mario Joseph Strafaci, Emily Anne Szczygiel, Kelsey Beth Taylor, Ryan F. Terry, Michelle Dawn Thibeault, Toie Marie Tolbert, Matthew Edward Turban, Trevor Aron Turgeon, Robert R. Walsh, Casey Lee Yaworski, Angela R. Zmyslinski, Katelyn N. Zubritsky.