Marian Catholic High School’s Class of 2026 has become a family, its valedictorian said.

“Growing up, I never understood why people would refer to groups outside of blood relatives as ‘family,’ ” Alexander Krapf said at Friday’s commencement exercises at the Hometown school’s John P. Malarkey gymnasium. “I held strictly the definition of family as referring to relatives, but these last four years have expanded my understanding of what family truly means.”

Krapf’s Marian family, he said, taught him to be proud of himself by showing him the distinction between different and unique. And yet, he said, while all are different, all hold a common principle — a foundation in Christ.

“I have seen firsthand the like-mindedness of every student and faculty member to treat each other with an unselfish, unburdened respect,” Krapf said of his 61 fellow graduates. “As I stand here, I hope to be a similar model for you all, invigorating your hearts to continue to do good, standing by your morals, and to make each day better than the last, as all of you have shown me to do.”

He asked that graduates cherish the opportunities they had at Marian.

“Each form of academic, extracurricular or service-oriented involvement has pushed you out of your comfort zone and shown you possibilities,” Krapf said. “Seniors, don’t lose this passion. Take this motive with you beyond high school, you will meet new friends and open doors you never knew were there.”

He also thanked students, staff and all at Marian for creating a welcoming and secure place.

“Please continue to foster this environment because next year, then the next and for many years to come, there will be other students in my place, and I would want nothing more than for them to have, and speak about, such a memorable experience they had at Marian, as I did the last four years,” Krapf said.

Salutatorian Isabella Horvat said graduation arrived faster than many expected.

“We have learned so much and grown in so many ways,” she said. “You might not realize it now but Marian Catholic has shaped all of us for the better. We have learned many lessons that will prepare us for the real world.”

Horvat shared advice from her father, who told her, “Enjoy the wins because they are not going to last forever.”

“That doesn’t mean that you can’t strive to be the best all the time,” she said. “It simply means to set the bar high and, if you fall short, take note of what you need to do to better yourself in the future. Have goals and do everything with a true purpose.”

Horvat noted that failure is not a bad thing. Instead, it is a reminder that hard work and discipline are needed to become successful.

“So this is a message for everybody to try new things in this world and, quite literally, fake it until you make it,” she said. “Show up to school and practice when it is hard. Remember that it is a privilege simply to exist, so use the tools that God gave you to the fullest and make a difference and reach your full potential.”

Horvat closed her speech saying it was an honor to recite the following words for the last time: “God bless America. Be Marian — and amen.”

The Rev. Robert T. Finlan, school principal, also focused on the Marian family in his invocation.

“These students have grown in faith, knowledge and service,” he prayed. “Today we celebrate not only their achievements but the people that they have become.”

Finlan also recognized members of Marian’s Class of 1976, who attended on the golden anniversary of their graduation.

Before diplomas were conferred, Jean Susko, director of studies, read students’ names, future plans and awards.