One-hundred-seventy-two students were conferred diplomas from St. Mary’s Dominican High School Commencement for the Class of 2023 during 10:30 a.m. campus ceremonies on Saturday, May 20. 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 2023 graduating class. Ms. Shannon Hauler, Assistant Principal of Academics, presented graduates. Sr. Suzanne Brauer, O.P., Delegate, Corporation Member extended the Dominican Blessing to the graduates.

The Class of 2023 achieved numerous honors and awards. In the class, 115 students earned a grade point average above 3.5 and merited the distinction of honor graduates; 61 students earned a grade point average of or above 4.0 and graduated Summa Cum Laude; 28 students graduated Magna Cum Laude (3.75 to 3.99); and 26 earned 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. Recognized as College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholars were ’Angelle Denise Nash and Rhian Fox Winfrey. Recognized as College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar was Roma Aida McAlear. National Merit Commended Scholars were Amelia Frances Haab, Lily Helene Martory, Margaret Ellen Miller, and Charlotte Elizabeth Raymond. National Merit Finalists were Brooke Elizabeth Babin, Katherine Nalty Ellis, Christina Mattingly Rareshide, and Abi Carmen Scanlan.

As of May 20, graduates earned admission into 181 colleges and universities throughout the country and globally. A total of 574 scholarships and awards were merited by 120 seniors. These scholarships and awards total more than $23 million, not including TOPS. Many students participated in previous AP exams and have qualified for a total of 273 hours of credit. Additional college credits will be awarded in July based on Advanced Placement Exams taken during the past two weeks. Eighteen members of this class are recognized as AP scholars. Many of these students are placed into honors programs because of their high scores on placement tests. Also 92 seniors earned another 522 hours of Math, Engineering, and US History credit through Dual Enrollment courses with the University of New Orleans and Louisiana State University.

The Class of 2023 completed more than 24,685 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 the 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 LHSAA All-Academic Team, LHSAA All Composite Team, WWL A+ Athlete, All Metro Team Member, and All District Team Member. They garnered District, Metro, and Regional Championship Titles. This year, Dominican also captured State Championship and State Runner Up Titles. Nine members of this senior class signed athletic scholarships to continue their athletic careers at the college level.

 

Valedictorians

Valedictorians were Brooke Elizabeth Babin, Katherine Nalty Ellis, and Stella Grace Martin. These graduates received the Valedictory Award, presented to the honor graduates who have achieved the highest cumulative grade point average in their programs of study.

Brooke Elizabeth Babin is the daughter of Mrs. Stephanie and Mr. Michael Babin of Metairie. She will attend Louisiana State University that offered her Alumni Leadership Scholarship, Flagship Scholarship Residence Award, and Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship. The Dominican Scholarship Student was a member of Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society.

Katherine Nalty Ellis is the daughter of Mrs. Dottie and Mr. Michael Elllis of Metairie. She will attend University of Virginia and was awarded an Enterprise Scholar Athletes Scholarship to a college of her choice. The Dominican Scholarship Student held membership in Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, and National Honor Society.

Stella Grace Martin, the daughter of Dr. Jennifer and Mr. Sean Martin of New Orleans, will attend Sewanee: The University of the South that awarded her the Ecce Quam Bonum Award. She was a member of Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society.

 

Salutatorians

Salutatorians Katherine Joan Harper and Abi Carmen Scanlan received the Salutatory Award for achieving the second highest cumulative grade point average in their program of studies.

Katherine Joan Harper is the daughter of Mrs. Karen and Mr. Sean Harper of New Orleans. She will attend University of South Carolina Columbia that awarded her the Academic Scholar Superlative Award and the Henry M. Rothberg Bicentennial Scholarship Award. The Dominican Scholarship Student held membership in Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, and National Honor Society.

Abi Carmen Scanlan is the daughter of Dr. Marideli and Mr. Michael Scanlan, PhD of Harvey. She will attend University of Notre Dame and received the Dominican College Corporation Scholarship to the Catholic college of her choice. The Dominican Scholarship Student was a member of Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society.

 

AWARDS

The Mother Mary Magdalen O’Farrell, O.P. Service Award was presented by St. Mary’s Dominican High School President Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas to Mia Jeanette Signorelli.

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 by Alumnae Association President Nelita Ramey (Class of 1979), to Isabelle Do Tran.

The recipient is selected by her classmates as one who represents Dominican spirit. Dominican’s motto: “To Praise, To Bless, To Preach,” is an integral part of her life as is her commitment to truth, Veritas.

 

The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) Award was presented by St. Mary’s Dominican High School President Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas to Carol Tonry Alley.

Selected by administration, faculty, and students, the award is given to the senior who exemplifies the motto of the AOH: friendship, unity, and Christian charity.

 

The Veritas Award was presented by school President Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas to Elise Catherine Grefer and Mia Jeanette Signorelli.

It is the most prestigious award presented to a St. Mary’s Dominican High School graduating senior. Selected by the leadership, administration, and faculty, an award recipient 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.

 

Honor Graduates

Summa Cum Laude graduates (4.0 and above): Amelia D. Alberts, Carol T. Alley, Inchara Anand, Brooke E. Babin, Madison C. Beckmann, Ella G. Bertucci, Elizabeth L. Bond, Madelaine H. Brown, Maggie E. Calix, Victoria L. Cambre, Isabella C. Cordova, Riley K. Crespo, Ellen R. Darcey, Caroline E. Dawson, Sophia C. delCorral, Brooke C. DiMaggio, Katherine N. Ellis, Abigail C. Evans, Ava F. Falcon, Rachel G. Fath, Isabella C. Forest, Avery E. Frey, Emily M. Giacona, Emily A. Glazner, Ella G. Goings, Catherine A. Greco, Elise C. Grefer, Karli G. Gremillion, Morgan E. Grice, Chloe M. Guidry, Amelia F. Haab, O’Neil A. Haddad, Katherine J. Harper, Olivia G. Icamina, Cadence O. Jackson, Allyson A. Johnson, Madeline C. Kerber, Olivia G. Labruzzo, Stella G. Martin, Priscilla G. Martinez, Lily H. Martory, Roma A. McAlear, Elizabeth L. McCabe, Margaret E. Miller, Monica E. Muscarello, ‘Angelle D. Nash, Emma B. Plaisance, Annabel E. Porteous, Shania A. Raimer, Christina M. Rareshide, Charlotte E. Raymond, Emma L. Ridge, Morgan C. Rotolo, Kiley L. Rousselle, Abi C. Scanlan, Mia J. Signorelli, Lillian G. Stricker, Lily C. Sundquist, Angeline Thao An Tran, Nicole Tran, Rhian F. Winfrey.

Magna Cum Laude Graduates (3.75 to 3.999): Katherine E. Aranda, Ramsey M. Aron, Allyson G. Bradley, Cecilia A. Cangelosi, Emma G. Clesi, Brianna A. Copping, Colleen C. Corcoran, Victoria A. Despenza, Jensen M. Donnaud, Annie R. Dykes, Ellen M. Gaudin, Emma R. Jaques, Bailey C. Johnson, Olivia D. Kelly, Madison J. Lauve, Brianna N. LeBant, Annie E. Leingang, Ashleigh C. LeRouge, Aria C. Lewis, Courtney A. Matthews, Claire E. Nash, Andelyn E. Passantino, Grace A. Pecoraro, Samantha A. Phillips, Madison A. Schick, Zoe E. Smith, Morgan S. Tebbe, Joelle E. Zengarling.

Cum Laude Graduates (3.5 to 3.749): Reagan H. Adams, Gissel I. Alvarez, Isabelle S. Bailey, McKinley E. Bordelon, Landyn G. Bush, Mackenzie A. Charneco, Sara S. Coogler, Caroline R. Detillier, Magdalene R. Ditta, Madeline E. Doucet, Megan E. Douglass, Lisette F. Gowland, Sarah M. Kocsis, Grace L. Landrum, Madelyn S. LaVie, Olivia A. Lavie, Abigail E. Lundgren, Sara J. Merchant, Rylee A. Pauley, Gabriella H. Porche, Madeline E. Pourciau, Isabella R. Roberts, Adelaide C. Rodrigue, Sophie G. Schexnayder, Anna R. Thomas, Audrey E. Wyble.

—

Also Graduating: Hayley M. Adorno, Ashley M. Alexis, Lauryn A. Ancar, Lauren J. Babineaux, Anne M. Bent, Emma L. Bertaut, Victoria M. Bohnet, Tyler F. Bordelon, Lucille M. Brauner, Laila A. Brown, Emily E. Cambre, Marley A. Castillon, Leah M. Charles, Claire A. Coffer, Emma M. Cook, Sophie O. Dauterive, Avery E. Donnelly, Emily N. Dubuc, Lily C. Duplantis, Lily M. Ellis, Lucy Rose D. Enger, Rylee N. Fay, Olivia J. Ferrari, Aubrea T. Francis, Rebekah I. Galaforo, Alexandra E. Garrison, Mallory A. Granier, Claudia P. Grosch, Kendall R. Guidroz, Anne M. Hardouin, Emily E. Hazelwood, Lee-ah RaKel Heurtin, Riley E. Hezeau, Jaylah A. Holmes, Vivienne M. Hotard, Minseo Kim, Olivia M. Landry, Chyra M. Lee, Kelci R.Lewis, Bella G. Long, Mykail C. Lusco, Chloe J. Maiden, Mariah J. Malliett, Sophia T. Martin, Marguerite E. Miller, Caroline E. Nagy, MaryGrace E. Ohler, Isabella R. Paciera, Kaitlyn E. Rapp, Lexie M. Rigney, Emily K. Rosenbohm, Aija J. Rydzewski, Madalyn N. Scalia, Andrea S. Siguenza, Isabelle Do Tran, Jolie M. Young, Laila A. Young.