One-hundred fifty-eight students were conferred diplomas from St. Mary’s Dominican High School Commencement for the Class of 2026 during 10:30 a.m. campus ceremonies on Saturday, May 16. 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 2026 graduating class. Ms. Shannon Hauler, Assistant Principal of Academics, presented the graduates. Sr. Angeline Magro, O.P. of the Dominican Sisters in New Orleans, extended the Dominican Blessing to the graduates.
Salutatorians were Grace Abigail Chategnier (right) and Abigail Elizabeth Nuccio (left). They received the Salutatory Award for achieving the second highest cumulative grade point average in the program of studies.
Grace Chategnier is the daughter of Mr. David Chategnier and Mrs. Robyn Chategnier of Metairie. She is a Dominican Scholarship Student, member of Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. She will attend Louisiana State University.
Abigail Nuccio is the daughter of Mr. Christopher Nuccio and Mrs. Leslie Nuccio of Gretna. The Dominican Scholarship Student is a member of Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. She will attend Louisiana State University.
Valedictorians were Therese Vaughn Carriere, Kristian Alexis Champagne, Peyton Ann Kuehne, Vanessa Yi Liu, Danielle Ruth Morgan, and Emily Louisiana Nathan. They achieved the highest cumulative grade point average in their programs of study.
Therese Carriere is the daughter of Mr. Charles Carriere and Mrs. Leslie Carriere of Metairie. The Dominican Scholarship Student is a member of La Société Honoraire de Françias, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. She will attend University of Georgia.
Kristian Alexis Champagne is the daughter of Mr. Jarrod Champagne and Mrs. Jennifer Champagne of Metairie. The Dominican Scholarship Student is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. She will attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Peyton Kuehne is the daughter of Mr. Adam Kuehne and Mrs. Kristy Kuehne of Kenner. The Dominican Scholarship Student is a member of La Société Honoraire de Françias, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. She will attend Colorado Christian University.
Vanessa Liu is the daughter of Mr. Jian Liu and Mrs. Dong Liu of Metairie. The Dominican Scholarship Student is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. She will attend Louisiana State University.
Danielle Morgan is the daughter of Mr. Eric Morgan and Mrs. Brenda Morgan of New Orleans. The Dominican Scholarship Student is a member of La Société Honoraire de Françias, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. She will attend Colorado School of Mines.
Emily Nathan is the daughter of Mr. Michael Nathan and Mrs. Maggie Kuger of New Orleans. The Dominican Scholarship Student is a member of La Société Honoraire de Francias, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. She will attend University of Georgia.
—-
AWARDS
The Sr. Mary Ambrose Reggio, O.P. Alumnae Award was presented to Jovie Celeste Leingang by Caroline McCall, Class of ’09 and President of Dominican’s Alumnae Association. The award is presented to the student selected by her classmates as one who represents Dominican Spirit. Dominican’s motto, “To Praise, To Bless, To Preach” is an integral part of the recipient’s life as is her commitment to truth, Veritas.
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 and Anastasia Maria Redmann (left) and Olivia Sandra Hernandez (right), in recognition of their outstanding and dedicated service to St. Mary’s Dominican High School. Dominican life and growth are mirrored in the recipients’ reflection of the school’s philosophy by belief in God and respect for the dignity of all human beings.
St. Mary’s Dominican High School President Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas presented The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) Award to Mia Catherine Rabalais, the senior who exemplifies the motto of the AOH: Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity. The honoree is selected by administration, faculty, and students. The Ancient Order of Hibernians, America’s oldest Irish Catholic Fraternal Organization, started in May 1836.
The American Legion Award was presented to Jovie Celeste Leingang. The award is presented to the graduating senior who possesses the essential qualities of leadership, honor, courage, patriotism, and service to school and community. The award is voted on by the faculty and students. Mr. James McMahon (left) and Mr. Ben Banchs (right), members of the American Legion Post 307, presented the award to Jovie Celeste Leingang.
St. Mary’s Dominican High School President Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas presented The Veritas Award to Anastasia Maria Redmann (left) and Leah Lynn Gilmore (right). The Veritas Award is the most prestigious award presented to a St. Mary’s Dominican High School graduating senior. The recipient demonstrates exemplary understanding of the Dominican Charism. Following the example of St. Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Dominican Order of Preachers, 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.
The Class of 2026 achieved many honors and received awards: These graduates were exceptional leaders in Academics, Athletics, Christian Life and Service, Student Government, Fine Arts, and every club and organization that was available to them. Students who have earned grade point averages above 3.5 are recognized each year as Honor Graduates. 102 members of the Class of 2026 have merited this distinction. 16 students graduated Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.5 to 3.749; 19 students graduated Magna Cum Laude with a GPS of 3.75 to 3.999; and 67 students graduated Summa Cum Laude with a GPA of 4.0 or above.
Members of the Class of 2026 earned admission into 139 colleges and universities throughout the country. 550 scholarships and awards were merited by 118 students. These scholarships and awards total more than $25,881,086, not including TOPS. Two seniors were awarded more than a million dollars individually.
Many students participated in previous AP exams and have qualified for a total of 447 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. 84 seniors earned another 585 hours of Math, Engineering, and US History credit through Dual Enrollment courses with Louisiana State University and Xavier University.
The Class of 2026 completed 24,605 community service hours. In Fine Arts – Music, Drama, and the Visual Arts – the graduating seniors were among the most talented in the state. Athletically members of this class participated in all 12 sports offered at Dominican, breaking individual and school records. They 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 also captured State Championship and State Runner Up Titles. Three members of this senior class signed athletic scholarships to continue their athletics careers at the college level. One member of this class signed a color guard dance scholarship.
Senior Truc Thanh Nguyen was recognized as College Board National First Generation Recognition Program Scholar. Ten seniors were recognized this year by the National Merit Corporation. They are among the 50,000 top students in the United States. Five members of this graduation class have been recognized by the National Merit Corporation as Commended Scholars: Natalie Ann Cage, Caroline Lily Cobb, Danielle Ruth Morgan, Abigail Elizabeth Nuccio, and Lilian Jayne Ryes.
Some 16,000 of the high scorers representing less than one percent of the nation’s high school graduating seniors qualify as semifinalists, and about 90 percent of them advance to finalist. Five members of this graduating class have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a National Merit Finalist: Therese Vaughn Carriere, Ashlynn Nhi Ding, Enna Daye Hawes, Vanessa Yi Liu, and Emily Louisiana Nathan.
HONOR GRADUATES
Summa Cum Laude Graduates: (4.0 and above): Sadeen Hatem Alresheq, Christine Claire Anderson, Molly Marie Baker, Raina Cheyenne Benjamin, Natalie Ann Cage, Isabelle LaFleur Camenzuli, Therese Vaughn Carriere, Theresa Marie Carter, Kristian Alexis Champagne, Grace Abigail Chategnie, Claudia Florence Cifreo, Caroline Lily Cobb, Liza Gizelle Cruz, Lillian Margaret Cruz,Aubrey Rose Daigrepont, Abby Laine Deeke, Sophie Anne DesForges, Evariste Morvant Dewenter, Ashlynn Nhi Dinh, Annalise Mary Gagliano, Simone Brigette Gaudet, Leah Lynn Gilmore, Enna Daye Hawes, Delaney Rose Hedrick, Hailey Elizabeth Helm, Julia Elizabeth Henry, Olivia Sandra Hernandez, Hayden Marie Johnson, Elise Patricia Kerisit, Peyton Ann Kuehne, Rachel Jeanne Laurent, Katelyn Claire LaVie, Madigan Michelle Lee, Jovie Celeste Leingang, Vanessa Yi Liu, Yvonne Phelan Lyons, Sydney Carol Mason, Laurie Mackenzie Miller, Danielle Ruth Morgan, Emily Louisiana Nathan, Theresa Evelyn Newburger, Truc Thanh Nguyen, Katelyn Ngoc-Lan Nguyen, Abigail Elizabeth Nuccio, Addison Casey Ory, Leah Grace Patterson, Mia Catherine Rabalais, Kayla Briann Randazzo, Anastasia Maria Redmann Sarah Elizabeth Reinhardt Lillian Jayne Reyes, Mia Sophia Rodriguez, Isabella Sofia Rojas, Gabriella del Socorro Romero, Julianne Maeve Sanchez, Gracyn Ruby Sapp, Claire Elizabeth Sarrat, Rani Leigh Smith, Hannah Rose Solomon, Fiona Marielle Szapary, Genevieve Lillian Thomas, Isabelle Elizabeth Tsien, Riley Grace Vicknair, Claire Rose Vidrine, Addison Marie Virgadamo, Ava Grace Windmeyer, Rojon Rokhbash Zamin.
Magna Cum Laude (3.75 to 3.99): Marisa Michelle Acevedo, Ellen Earline Bailey, Grace Mariana Blamphin, Ava Dominica Campo, Kaelyn Claire Cummiskey, Caroline Mereau Favre, Tessa Alice’ Fox, Samantha Rose Generes, Golda Sahar Ghahremani Templeman, Elizabeth Katherine Green, Evelyn Connor Ieyoub, Kaitlin Ann Pilie, Mary Catherine Pilie, Caroline Claire Scaffidi, Eliza Patricia Short, Sarah Kathleen Steeg, Britta Dufresne Stolz, Victoria Adele Thomas, Cali Ann Tortorich.
Cum Laude Graduates (3.5 to 3.749): Jalaya Arnae Adams, Evelyn Katherine Booth, Bryn Elizabeth Bourgeois, Madeline Elizabeth Cantrelle, Jolie Brielle D’Amour, Delaney Anne Durr, Maiya Isabella Emilien, Adeline Claverie Fee, Alivia Nicole Goertz, Mackenzie Rose Hertz, Alivia Nicole Goertz, Corinne Elise Lannan, Cristina Josephine Mejia, Sophia Marisela Mendieta, Lila Grace Merchant, Kylee Cherlynn Singleton, Jacey Elizabeth Williams.
Also Graduating:
Reese Sidney Adams, Jeanne Elizabeth Adams, Eleanore Jane Andry, Laurel Camille Beasley, Abigail Grace Boudreaux, Alyssa Marie Broussard, Carlin Alexandra Bryant, Amiya Latrise Bullie, Robin Brittany Burke, Adeline Anna Casey, Cecile Kearney Christovich, Haley Marie Couvillion, Dakota Rose Daniels, Taylor Marie Davila, Gabrielle Olivia Davis, Briton Mary DeSantis, Aubrie Kate Duplantis, Layla Madelyne Dykes, Aline Margaret Elfer, Lillian Grace Elms, Blair Elizabeth Foss, Ava Marie Francioni, Chloe Severine Gervais, Caroline Grace Giacontiere, Treneesha Tina Gray, Emma Claire Guidry, Bria Alexandra Heustis, Caroline Sage Higgins, Alexa Maddison Higgins, Laila Marcelle Hofmann, Mariah Tatiana Hooks, Adriana Victoria Jauregui, Claire Catherine Judge, Marianne Elizabeth Kononchek, Saniya Denise Lain, Addison Makay Lamarque, Camille Grey Leingang, Mallie Louise Mahoney, Isabella McKenzie McMahon, Mihaela Rose Niles, Olivia Grace Pierce, Caroline Michelle Ramsey, Brianna Monae Raphael, Sophie Alexius Reinhardt, Eilyn Marie Smith, Marilyn Tania Sosa, Destiny Janae Stewart, Autumn Grace Sundquist, Brianna Marie Teran, Nicole Sophia Udych, Abigail Rose Verneuil, Grace Elizabeth Wattigney, A’mya Devon White, Emma Rae Wilcox, Ava Marisol Wood, Kylie Alyse Wright.
PHOTO GALLERY
