One-hundred-sixty students were conferred diplomas from St. Mary’s Dominican High School Commencement for the Class of 2024 during 10:30 a.m. campus ceremonies on Saturday, May 18. 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 2024 graduating class. Ms. Shannon Hauler, Assistant Principal of Academics, presented the graduates. Sr. Angeline Magro, O.P., Delegate, former Prioress of the Dominican Sisters in New Orleans, extended the Dominican Blessing to the graduates.

The Class of 2024 achieved numerous honors and awards. In the class, 101 students earned a grade point average (GPA) above 3.5 and merited the distinction of honor graduates; 65 students earned a GPA of or above 4.0 and graduated summa cum laude; 16 students graduated Magna Cum Laude (3.75 to 3.99); and 20 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. Seniors Amie McKenna Lewis and Jayla Michel Montgomery were recognized as College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholars. Recognized as College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar was Taylor Lee Christian. National Merit Commended Scholars were Ava Elizabeth Buquoi, Bryce Surgala Couvillon, Sahithi Koneru, Meredith Marie Kononchek, Brooke Marcelline Lambert, Catherine Nan Redmann, and Rachael Therese Tatford. National Merit Finalists were Kathryn Larkin Fine, Camille Claire Truxillo, and Samantha Leigh Wild.

As of May 18, graduates earned admission into 190 colleges and universities throughout the country and globally. A total of 564 scholarships and awards were merited by 124 seniors. These scholarships and awards total more than $27 million, not including TOPS. Four seniors have been awarded more than $1 million individually. Many students participated in previous AP exams and have qualified for a total of 336 hours of credit. Additional college credits will be awarded in July based on Advanced Placement Exams taken during the past two weeks. 20 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 98 seniors earned another 684 hours of Math, Engineering, and US History credit through Dual Enrollment courses with Louisiana State University and Xavier University.

The Class of 2024 completed more than 27,839 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, All Metro Team Member, and All District Team Member. They garnered District, Metro, and Regional Championship Titles. This year, Dominican captured State Championship and State Runner Up Titles. Two members of this senior class signed athletic scholarships to continue their athletic careers at the college level.

Valedictorians

The Valedictorians were Kathryn Larkin Fine, Sahithi Koneru, Meredith Marie Kononchek, and Camille Claire Truxillo. 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.

Kathryn Larkin Fine is the daughter of Mrs. Mary Beth Fine and Mr. Paul Leonard Fine of Metairie. She will attend the University of Notre Dame and was awarded a National Merit Corporation Scholarship to the college of her choice. The Dominican Scholarship Student was member of Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor society, Science National Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Sahithi Koneru is the daughter of Mrs. Kalyani Koneru and Mr. Mahesh Koneru of St. Rose. She will attend Georgetown University. The Dominican Scholarship Student was a member of Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Meredith Marie Kononchek is the daughter of Mrs. Patrice Keller Kononchek and Mr. Christian Frederick Kononchek of New Orleans. 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 Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Camille Claire Truxillo is the daughter of Mrs. Theresa Bertucci Truxillo and Dr. Ryan Mark Truxillo of New Orleans. She will attend the University of Notre Dame that offered her the Provost Scholarship and the University Scholarship. The Dominican Scholarship Student was member of Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor society, Science National Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society.

 

Salutatorian

The Salutatorian was Samantha Leigh Wild. The daughter of Dr. Kathryn Wild and Mr. Dirk Wild of New Orleans, she received the Salutatory Award for achieving the second highest cumulative grade point average in the program of studies. She will attend the University of Alabama that awarded her the Out-of-State Presidential Scholarship and the National Merit Finalist Scholarship. The Dominican Scholarship Student held membership in Mu Alpha Theta, National Art Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and Science National 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 Kathryn Larkin Fine. The award recognizes the 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 Grace Elizabeth Koenig.  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 Reese Cathryn Macicek. 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 American Legion Award was presented by Mr. Tom Neos, a member of the American Legion Post 307, to Grace Elizabeth Koenig in recognition of possessing the essential qualities of leadership, honor, courage, patriotism, and service to school and community.

 

The Veritas Award was presented by President Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas to Camille Claire Truxillo and Kathryn Larkin Fine. The Veritas Award is the most prestigious award presented to a St. Mary’s Dominican High School graduating senior. Selected by the leadership, administration, and faculty, the 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.

 

Student Council Executive Board members President Grace Elizabeth Koenig, Vice President Amie McKenna Lewis, Secretary Ella Elizabeth Brown, and Treasurer Lauren Bailey Johnson were recognized for their exceptional work helping underclassmen and their fellow classmates understand and appreciate the entire spirit that unites the entire Dominican student body.

 

Honor Graduates

Summa Cum Laude Graduates (4.0 and above): 

Sana Baig, Claire L. Bailey, Tess B. Baker, Stefani A. Baldini, Miranda L. Bishop, Rebekah A. Brockway, Ella E. Brown, Emma K. Bullard, Ava E. Buquoi, Faith E. Calagna, Taylor L. Christian, Eliza D. Christovich, Bryce S. Couvillon, Elizabeth M. Daly, Limar S. Darwish, Jalyn G. Douglas, Heather E. Engelhardt, Krystal A. Fernandes, Kathryn L. Fine, Mary C. Garvey, Lauren M. Giardina, Molly E. Glas, Rachel J. Haase, Noelie C. Haddad, Allison T. Harmon, Reese M. Jennings, Julia C. Jones, Hidaya N. Khan, Minseung Kim, Grace E. Koenig, Isabella R. Koenig, Sahithi Koneru, Meredith M. Kononchek, Brooke M. Lambert, Amie M. Lewis, Addison R. Lobell, Reese C. Macicek, Gabrielle M. Maggio, Juliette C. Marino, Alyssa A. McDuffie, Isabelle C. McKnight, Jayla M. Montgomery, Jill M. Neumeyer, Kaitlyn M. Nguyen, Hannah L. Ohlsson, Bridget L. Palermo, Katherine P. Patron, Elizabeth C. Phillips, Catherine N. Redmann, Margaret A. Redmann, Sara M. Rouse, Isabella N. Sachitano, Josie K. Sanders, Sophia A. Sherwood, Carrie G. St. Marie, Berit G. Stolz, Rachael T. Tatford, Gabby T. Toca, Chloe A. Toye, Morgan M. Trauth, Camille C. Truxillo, Samantha L. Wild, Tamia F. Williams, Kaitlyn D. Wismar, Olivia K. Zimmer.

Magna Cum Laude Graduates (3.75 to 3.999):

Leen H. Alresheq, Sarah H. Alsherees, Kaylee M. Caro, Camryn P. Chatellier, Olivia C. Corley, Avery M. Darbonne, Hannah R. DeLaCerda, Aya M. Elmadah, Emma R. Ernst, Dalya Isvandi, Lauren B. Johnson, Gabrielle M. Marcello, Mia J. McCann, Blaire E. Power, Mia R. Reyes, Isabella M. Totorico.

Cum Laude (3.5 to 3.749):

Audrey G. Adams, Elisabeth C. Amato, Samantha C. Baker, Evan A. Bellow, Madeline M. Branch, Kaylin S. Bush, Iriel K. Duplessis, A’Maya P. Freeman, Lauren R. Guilbault, Caroline E. Haydel, Sophie M. Hazard, Brooke H. Hollingsworth, Jaycee L. Holmes, Elisabeth A. Levasseur, Jade C. Mason, Madeleine C. Molina, Gabriella M. Nguyen, Rylee L. Richard, Ruby R. Spedale, Victoria B. Volpe.

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Also Graduating: Isabelle C. Anderson, Julia D. Badinger, Linzy M. Bates, Mia A. Bavido, Sofia I. Bertucci, Lauren A. Bishop, Hailey L. Bourgeois, Tessa A. Caffery Valenzuela, Abigail R. Callhover, Taylor L. Cashio, Layah M. Cavett, Cecilia A. Cifreo, Jessica R. Cook, Lillian E. DeRamus, Kaylee M. DeSantis, Brianne M. Desselles, Lilian M. Dreuil, Emma G. Eustis, Emily M. Evans, Hailey E. Fulco, Alexis M. Gaitan, Maureen E. Garvey, Skyler M. Givens, Jeanne L. Holmes, Lucie E. Howenstine, Lauren M. Hughes, Samantha M. Jackson, Eleanor M. Lambert, Andrea K. Landry, Kennedy P. Lewis, Zoha Mahmood, Amelia P. Mayer, Maddie R. McGuire, Josephine E. Melnyk, Violet E. Miles, Jasmine A. Moncada, Cameron M. Osborne, Jiyah B. Payton, Sarah K. Quigley, Mariam A. Reimonenq, Reese J. Rigney, Ava M. Rogers, Lauren L. Santos, Ava M. Schnauder, Ellory H. Schultz, Khullie C. Seals, Emma G. Shaw, Imadunisa Siddiqui, Milan A. Solis, Valerie B. Sosa, Lillian C. Stouder, Amelie F. Szapary, Sarah T. Tran, Kalie D. Tu, Lucy V. Tullier, Kyilie E. Washington, Claire V. Williams, Lauryn G. Williams, Lydia R. Woldemichael.