Photo Gallery: St. Thomas Academy Cadets Graduate

It is no coincidence that held their graduation ceremony June 2 at the Saint Paul Cathedral.

The Catholic, all-male, college-preparatory, military day school school as well as the church on the hill was founded in 1885 by Archbishop John Ireland. For 125 years, the Academy's tradition, discipline and spirit have influenced the lives of young men long after graduation.

Seniors have devoted 40 hours over the past two weeks to service in the community, and 10 hours to contemplation and analysis. All told, seniors have completed 100 hours of service each over the past school year, some have given even more.

It was a windy evening, but that did not stop families and friends from gathering outside after the ceremony to await the young men walking down the steps of the cathedral and into the next phase of their lives.