One-hundred forty students were conferred diplomas from St. Mary’s Dominican High School Commencement for the Class of 2021 during campus ceremonies on May 15 that was also livestreamed. President Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas offered the opening prayer. Vice President, Principal Mrs. Carolyn F. Favre conferred the diplomas and presented a profile of the 2021 graduating class. Mrs. Wendy Grubb, Chair of the Counseling Department, presented graduates. Sr. Suzanne Brauer, O.P., Delegate, Corporation Members extended the Dominican Blessing to the graduates.
The Class of 2021 achieved numerous honors and awards. In the class, 84 students merited the distinction of honor graduate, 43 students earned grade point averages above 4.0. and graduated summa cum laude, 23 magna cum laude (3.75 to 3.999), and 18 cum laude (3.5 to 3.749).
One of the highest academic honors a high school student can receive is National Merit recognition for outstanding academic ability as determined by the student’s scores on the PSAT administered in October of her junior year. Two seniors were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation: Emily Marie Dominique, Commended; and Sydney Caroline Raymond, Finalist.
As of May 15, graduates earned admission into 119 different colleges and universities throughout the country. A total of 419 scholarships and awards were merited by 100 seniors. These scholarships and awards totaled more than $11 million.
Many students participated in previous AP exams and have qualified for a total of 97 semester hours of credit. Additional college credits will be awarded in July based on Advanced Placement Exams taken during the past two weeks. Thirteen students were recognized as AP Scholars. Many of these students placed into honors programs because of their high scores on placement tests. Also, 71 seniors earned another 213 hours of Math and Engineering credit through dual enrollment with courses with Louisiana State University and University of New Orleans. The class of 2021 completed over 22,031 hours of service to the community. In Fine Arts — Music, Drama, and the visual arts — the seniors graduating today are among the most talented in this state.
Athletically, members of this class participated in all 10 sports offered at Dominican, breaking both individual and school records. Additionally, these students captured many titles, including, Louisiana High School Athletic Association All-Academic Team, All-Metro Team Member, All-District Team member, and garnered district, metro, and regional championship titles. This year, Dominican also captured State Championship in Volleyball and State Runner Up in Soccer. Seven seniors signed athletic scholarships to continue their athletic careers at the college level.
Salutatorian Audrey Kathryn Wild received the Salutatory Award for achieving the second highest cumulative grade point average in her program of studies. The daughter of Dr. Kathryn Wild and Mr. Dirk Wild of New Orleans, she was a Dominican Scholarship Student and member of Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, and National Honor Society. She will attend the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Business Technology.
Audrey Kathryn Wild
Valedictorians were Rebekah Carmen Haase, Emily Elizabeth Hemelt, and Sydney Caroline Raymond. They received the Valedictory Award, presented to the honor graduates who have achieved the highest cumulative grade point average in their program of studies.
Rebekah Carmen Haase, daughter of Mrs. Christine Haase and Mr. Mark Haase of River Ridge, plans to major in Electrical Engineering at The University of New Orleans that awarded her the Homer L. Hitt Presidential Scholarship. A Dominican Scholarship Student, she was a member of La Société Honoraire de Français, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, and National Honor Society.
Emily Elizabeth Hemelt is the daughter of Dr. Cheri Hemelt and Dr. Brent Hemelt of River Ridge and will attend Dartmouth College in the fall. She was a member of the Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, and National Honor Society.
Sydney Caroline Raymond, daughter of Dr. Katherine Kleinpeter Raymond and Dr. Sidney Heider Raymond of New Orleans, received a National Merit Scholarship and the St. Mary’s Dominican College Corporation Scholarship. She was a Dominican Scholarship Student and member of La Société Honoraire de Français, Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, and National Honor Society. She was named a candidate in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. This fall, she will attend Georgetown University with a planned major in Science, Technology and International Affairs.
Rebekah Carmen Haase
Emily Elizabeth Hemelt
Sydney Caroline Raymond
The Mother Mary Magdalen O’Farrell, O.P. Service Award was presented to Allie Cristina Koenig. The award recognizes a student’s outstanding, dedicated service to St. Mary’s Dominican High School. Dominican life and growth are mirrored in her reflection of the school’s philosophy by belief in God and respect for the dignity of all human beings.
The Sr. Mary Ambrose Reggio, O.P. Alumnae Award was presented to Grace Ann Hamblin, selected by her classmates for representing Dominican Spirit. Dominican’s motto: “To Praise, to Bless, to Preach” is an integral part of the honoree’s life, as is their commitment to truth, VERITAS.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians Award was presented to Gracie Reynolds Bott for exemplifying the order’s motto of friendship, unity, and Christian charity. America’s oldest Irish Catholic Fraternal Organization started in May 1836, the order’s members greeted the seven Dominican sisters from St. Mary’s Convent in Cabra, Ireland, when they arrived in New Orleans on November 5, 1860.
Graduates McKenzie Ann Grundmeyer, Elana Michelle Perriott, and Gracie Reynolds Bott were selected by leadership, administration, and faculty to receive The Veritas Award, the most prestigious award presented to a St. Mary’s Dominican High School graduating senior. The recipient of this award demonstrates exemplary understanding of the Dominican Charism. Following the example of St. Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Dominican Order, the Veritas Award recipient faithfully strives to seek Truth through prayer, study, community, and service. She preaches the Truth of the Gospel through the example of her life and calls forth the best in others.
Those graduating Summa Cum Laude (4.0 and above) were Faith Gabriel Bass, Grace Autumn Beard, Isabella Marie Brockway, Emily Marie Broussard, Ngan-Ha Sophia Cao, Kaitlyn Laine Dawson, Reese Mackenzie Dawson, Kristen Tuyet Nhi Dinh, Emily Marie Dominique, Sarah Taylor Fath, Madison Maria Ferguson, Isabelle Ena Fitzmorris, Sophia Cristina Forest, Claire Elizabeth Garitty, Kamryn Kate Gervais, Rebekah Carmen Haase, Grace Ann Hamblin, Lucy Marie Hansen, Emily Elizabeth Hemelt, Kaitlyn My Linh Huynh, Shelby Louise Jackson, Caroline Elizabeth Madden, Tatum Kelly Miller, Abigail Elise Morris, Kate Isabell Nolan, Olivia Sofia Olson, Caroline de Lauréal Ondrusek, MacKenzie Kathryn Paradis, Bryce Madison Perkins, Layton Aubrey Perkins, Jenna Marie Pertuit, Mia Grace Pettitt, Sydney Caroline Raymond, Madison Claire Richardson, Madison Margaret Robichaux, Sophie Ann Ross, Dajah Renee Saul, Reilly Elizabeth Spitzfaden, Ella Kathryn Stolberg, Kate Alexandra Thomson, Josephine Anne Toso, Alexis Bao Nhi Tran, and Audrey Kathryn Wild.
Graduating Magna Cum Laude (3.75-3.99) were Makayla Marie Arbelo, Emily Michelle Benvenutti, Gracie Reynolds Bott, Marguerite Lisette Breaux, Hallie Ngoc Tuyen Cao, Ashlyn Julia Chopin, Brittany Ann Clark, Grainne Catherine D’Arcy, Jenna Essa, Brelan Reise Fitzpatrick, Niani Abebi Gibson, Alondra Daniela Gomez-Santos, McKenzie Ann Grundmeyer, Emma Elizabeth Hoth, Allie Cristina Koenig, Teresa Dang Lai, Carly Alexis Langford, Olivia Diana Messina, Abigail Caroline Perez, Sydney Ann Posecai, Elise Amelia Simon, Abrial Maryn Suarez, and Mary Parker Whisnant.
Graduating Cum Laude (3.50-3.74) were Madison Katherine Adams, Caroline June Alleman, Marist Elise Bourg, Carol Louise Bujol, Aria Kylee Dody, Lindsey Mary Foles, Sanai Lation Jackson, Paige Elizabeth Julian, Phoebe Ellen Lookingbill, Madison Maria McDonough, Tori Elizabeth Mire, Emily Catherine Pennebaker, Elana Michelle Perriott, Gracee Renee Reeves, Claire Jolie Sekinger, Gabrielle Johné Smith, Jordyn A’lyric Taylor, and Caroline Andreé Trauth.
Also graduating were Emily Marie Adams, Madalyn Ann Attardo, Alecia Michelle Augustine, Nina Marie Becnel, Lisee Ines Borrouso, Avery Ariel Bruchis, Kassidy Denay Callaghan, Lucy Reneé Camardelle, Mary Clement Clark, Hope Theresa Couvillion, Arielle Dominique Crawford, Isabelle Keelin Dischner, Emma Elizabeth Dubuisson, Delaney Elizabeth Faust, Kaylee Marie Fay, Lily Marisa Xin Francioni, Amari Tayla Francois, Stella Ozols French, Sydney Mikal Frick, Alexis Karelia Fuentes, Aubrey Madison Gaudet, Madison Elizabeth Gauthier, Kaylee Elizabeth Gelé, Gabrielle Christen Goines, Sydni Paige Griffin, Elizabeth Grace Hardouin, Madeleine Anne Harmon, Katherine Elise Haydel, Olivia Falcone Higgins, Brook Elizabeth Jenny, Elise Grace Karcher, Alysa Ann Lagarde, Alyssa Marie Lesmond, Sasha Jillian Lewis, Maedchen Taylor Lyons, Alyssa Marie Martello, Kennedee Monét Martin, Rylie Marie McCluskey, Christa Marie Miller, Eliza Rose Miller, Raylissa Lauren Toi Nelson, Song-Phuong Ha Nguyen, Claire Elizabeth Oster, Natalie Anne Philburn, Abby Rose Pigeon, Madeline Lily Reinhardt, Ava Gabrielle Rose, Olivia Isabella Ryan, Sara Nicole Sciortino, DiJon Unique Smith, Eryka Alejandra Vazquez, Alyssa Raquel Vazquez, Camille Ann Vincent, Theresa Huyen Suong Vu, Sara Catherine Watermeier, A’Nya Monea Wheatley.