byPatrick E. O'ConnorSpecial to The Pilot
At Cathedral graduation are Shatiaka Allen (salutatorian) and Lexis Salter (valedictorian) with Robert McGurrin. Pilot photo/courtesy Patrick E. O'Connor
As the school year comes to an end, The Pilot congratulates the more than 3,500 members of the class of 2012 who graduated from Catholic high schools within the Archdiocese of Boston. This year's summary of graduations is presented by the date of commencement exercises.
Xaverian Brothers High School, Westwood
The weather was splendid as the class of 2012 arrived for graduation on the grounds of the football stadium on Friday evening, May 18. The salutatory address was presented by Naman Agarwal and the valedictory address by Sean Tenaglia, who was also presented the prestigious Xaverian Award. Brother Dan Skala, headmaster, presented diplomas to 224 graduates.
Notre Dame Academy, Hingham
The 159th commencement took place on Friday evening, May 18. An invited speaker for the happy occasion was Grace Cotter Regan '78. She has had a great career in education and becomes principal of St. Mary High School in Lynn in July. The valedictory address was presented by Michelle Ouellette and the salutatory address by Nicole Ferreira. Diplomas were presented to 134 graduates.
Mt. Alvernia High School, Newton
The 73rd commencement took place on the front lawn of the school amid plenty of sunshine on Saturday, May 19. At 1 p.m., a line of white clad girls in single file arrived and took their seats to the tune of pomp and circumstance. The salutatory address was presented by Brianna Chaves and the valedictory address by Siobhan Burke. Ms. Eileen McLaughlin, principal, presented diplomas to 34 graduates.
Cathedral High School, Boston
The 82nd commencement took place on Saturday afternoon, May 19 at the Cathedral. Welcoming all and completing his first year as principal was Mr. Robert McGurrin. The salutatory address was presented by Shatiaka Allen and the valedictory address by Lexis Salters. Several graduates from the Class of 1962 attended. Diplomas were presented to 56 graduates.
Malden Catholic High School
The 77th commencement took place on Saturday, May 19 in the school gymnasium. Graduates from the Class of 1962 filed in prior to the class of 2012 and were presented golden jubilee diplomas. The salutatory address was presented by Nicholas McMahon and the valedictory address by Alexander Iascone. Brother Tom Puccio, principal, presented the class to headmaster Edward C. Tyrell who awarded diplomas to 150 graduates.
St. John's Preparatory School, Danvers
The 102nd commencement took place on Sunday morning, May 20. As is the custom every year, faculty, trustees, and graduates of the class of 1962 greeted the class of 2012 as they processed from Memorial Gym to Ryken Field. Senior class speaker was Derek Dow and delivering the valedictory address was Joshua Long. Peter J. Fallon was presented with the prestigious Xaverian Award which epitomizes the values and tradition of a Xaverian education. Diplomas were presented to 276 graduates.
Boston College High School, Boston
The 148th commencement took place on Sunday afternoon, May 20 in McNeice Pavilion. Delivering the welcoming address was senior Ryan Blake and the senior address, Tyler Lueck. Cardinal O'Malley delivered the commencement address and was on hand to congratulate each graduate as diplomas were presented to 291 students.
Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsboro
Commencement took place on Sunday, May 20 at the school. The salutatory address was presented by Varsha Muralidhar and the valedictory address by Lucy Devlin. Mrs. Laurie Kimball, a past member of the faculty, addressed the graduates. Diplomas were presented to 30 girls.
Mt. St. Joseph Academy, Brighton
The school's 127th and final graduation took place on Wednesday evening, May 23. Songja Naomi Ono delivered the salutatorian address and Kelly Ann Brennan, the valedictory address. Several members of the class of 1962 attended. Ms. Kathleen Fraser, principal, presented diplomas to 49 graduates. In September, the school will re-open as the co-ed St. Joseph Preparatory School.
Pope John XXIII High School, Everett
The 43rd commencement took place on Thursday evening, May 24 in the school auditorium. Samantha Yao delivered the salutatory address and Alexis Dame, the valedictory address. Diplomas were presented to 65 graduates.
Catholic Memorial High School, West Roxbury
Holy Name Church was the setting for the 52nd commencement on Thursday, May 24. The salutatory address was presented by Miles E. McCarthy and the valedictory address by Dennis J. Muldoon. Paul E. Sheff, president and a 1962 graduate of CM, presented diplomas to 159 graduates. Graduate Marcus Jackson had the distinction of being the 10,000th graduate in the school's history.
Fontbonne Academy, Milton
The 55th commencement took place on Thursday evening, May 25 on the grounds of the school. Addressing their classmates was class president Natalie Devine and as honor speakers: Caroline Murray and Kayla Stravin. An invited speaker was Joan Garrity. A 1962 graduate of Fontbonne, she is a member of the faculty at the UMass School of Nursing. Mary Ellen Barnes, principal, presented diplomas to 72 graduates.
Archbishop Williams High School, Braintree
The 60th commencement took place on Thursday evening, May 24 at the school. Khelsea O'Brien delivered the salutatory address and Lindsey Crowley, the valedictory address. Retiring principal Mary Louise Sadowski was the guest speaker and presented diplomas to 134 graduates.
Elizabeth Seton Academy, Dorchester
St. Gregory Church was the setting for the 8th commencement on Thursday evening, May 24. Delivering the graduate address was senior Hayley Meara. Dr. Maureen White, principal, presented diplomas to 23 graduates.
Matignon High School, Cambridge
Graduation took place on Thursday evening in the school assembly hall. Sandra McQueen delivered the salutatory address and Isabella Palangi, the valedictory address. Diplomas were presented to 99 graduates.
Cardinal Spellman High School, Brockton
On the grounds of Potvin Stadium and amid sunshine, the 51st commencement took place on Thursday evening, May 24. This year, a new tradition began with the class of 1962 attending the ceremonies. The 1962 class was the first to graduate from Spellman. Laura Hill delivered the salutatory address and Elaine Hanby, the valedictory address. Diplomas were presented to 174 graduates.
St. Mary High School, Lynn
Commencement took place on Thursday evening, May 24 at St. Mary Church. Thomas Collins delivered the salutatory address and Stephen Roach, the valedictory address. An invited speaker was Dr. Jill Wannemacher '64. Diplomas were presented to 136 graduates.
Marian High School, Framingham
Graduation took place on Friday evening, May 25 in the school assembly hall. An invited speaker was former NFL football player and member of the class of 1973 Peter Cronan. Emma Hazen and David Watkins delivered the salutatory address and Alexandra Erath, the valedictory address. Diplomas were presented to 64 graduates.
Arlington Catholic High School
The Dana Athletic Center on the campus of Bentley University in Waltham was the setting for commencement on Friday afternoon, May 25. An invited speaker for the happy occasion was the Honorable Gerard J. Boyle. A 1967 graduate of AC, he is presiding justice for the 6th Circuit Court in Concord, N.H. and a retired colonel with the U.S. Marine Corps. Sinead E. Nguyen delivered the salutatory address and Nicholas H. Nowell, the valedictory address. Mr. Stephen Biagioni, principal, presented diplomas to 182 graduates.
Lowell Catholic High School
St. Patrick Church in Lowell was the setting for the 23rd commencement on Friday evening, May 25. Kathryn Smolko delivered the salutatory address and Connor Purell, the valedictory. The 93 graduates presented diplomas by principal MaryEllen DeMarco.
St. Clement High School, Medford
St. Clement Church was the setting for graduation on Friday evening, May 24. An invited speaker was Stephen Goldy. A 1985 graduate of St. Clement's, he lives in Reading and is president of the town's board of selectmen. The salutatory address was presented by Diana Tran and the valedictory address by Jennifer Amaral. Mr. Robert Chevrier, principal, presented diplomas to 37 graduates.
Bishop Fenwick High School, Peabody
The 50th commencement took place on Friday evening, May 25 at the school stadium. Abby Curran delivered the salutatory address and Jennifer Collins, the valedictory address. Sister Catherine Fleming, principal, presented diplomas to 141 graduates. Nineteen in the class are children of alumni.
Central Catholic High School, Lawrence
The 74th commencement took place on Friday evening, May 25 in Memorial Gym. The graduating class this year numbered 343 and is the largest graduating class in the school's history. Sean Murphy delivered the salutatory address and Jeremy Fague, the valedictory address. Members of the class of 1962 attended. Close to 50 graduates are children and grandchildren of previous graduates of Central Catholic.
Presentation of Mary Academy, Methuen
Graduation took place on Friday, May 25 for the last all girls class from the now co-ed school at the Dupre Center. Julia Splaine delivered the salutatory address and Alyssa Kelley, the valedictory. Mrs. Rose Marie Redman, principal, presented diplomas to 39 graduates.
Sacred Heart High School, Kingston
Graduation took place on Saturday, May 26. Gabrielle Franzini delivered the salutatory address and Sarah Dunn, the valedictory address. An invited speaker was Sister Candice Introcasu, CDP, president of Laroche College in Pittsburgh. Diplomas were presented to 85 graduates.
Trinity Catholic High School, Newton
Our Lady, Help of Christians Church was the setting for the final commencement on Friday evening, June 1. Rachel Rzeznik delivered the salutatory address and Hannah Smith, the valedictory address. Diplomas were presented to 50 graduates. In September, Trinity Catholic and Mt. St. Joseph will form a new school, St. Joseph Prep at the Brighton campus.
Austin Preparatory School, Reading
The 47th commencement took place on Saturday afternoon, June 2 on campus. Nicole Casper delivered the salutatory address and Kaliegh Hamilton, the valedictory address. Diplomas were presented to 108 graduates.
Ursuline Academy, Dedham
The rain stayed away and the sun came out just in time for graduation on Sunday afternoon, June 3 on the grounds of the school. Delivering the salutatory address was Gabriella Santone and the delivering valedictory address was Norah Griffin. An invited speaker was alumnus Michaela McMahon Popeo '89. Mary Jo Keaney, principal, presented diplomas to 73 graduates.
Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
The 132nd commencement took place on Thursday morning, June 7 at a tent erected for the occasion on the school grounds. Helen Stillwell delivered the salutatory address and Blair Seiler, the valedictory address. An invited speaker was Enuma Menkiti '97. Sister Barbara Rogers presented diplomas to 59 graduates.
St. Sebastian's School, Needham
St. Bartholomew Church in Needham was the setting for the 68th commencement on Thursday, June 7. Immaculee Ilabagzia, 1994 Rwandan genocide survivor and author, delivered the commencement address. Sean M. Frazette delivered the salutatory address and John L. Donovan, the valedictory address. Diplomas were presented to 63 graduates.
Notre Dame High School, Lawrence
The 5th commencement took place on Saturday morning, June 11 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Lawrence. Graduation was special this year for the principal, Thomas Ryan as he began his position with the graduating class as ninth graders back in 2008. The school for girls opened in 2004 and graduated its first class in 2008. The salutatory address was presented by Monica Polanco and the valedictory address by Gabriela Suarez. Sister Mary Murphy, president, presented diplomas to 50 graduates.
Cristo Rey Boston High School, Dorchester
The school's second commencement took place on Friday, June 15 at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester. The salutatory address was presented by Lisa Edouard and the valedictory address by Madeline Sencion. An invited speaker for the occasion was city councilor Ayanna Pressley. Father Jose Medina, principal, presented diplomas to 52 graduates.