Mount Saint Charles Graduates Look Ahead

Smiles graced the faces of 175 graduates this Sunday at , as students stood before their friends, families and teachers and celebrated both their academic success and the transition towards bright futures.

Meagan L. Murphy of North Smithfield served as Mistress of Ceremonies in a packed Adelard Arena at the school's 87th commencement and, in keeping with tradition, forty-five members of the Class of 1961 received 50th Anniversary Gold Diplomas, as the highlight of their fiftieth high school reunion weekend.

Salutatorian Garrett M. Hayward of Glendale reflected on his experience at the private Catholic institution, comparing his first time body surfing in Narragansett to his first days at the junior-senior high school. Great teachers and community support, Hayward explained, saw him through the challenge.

"With great thanks to them, no wave will ever be be too challenging for us," he said. "Although we are leaving this ocean, we are all moving on to greater ones. May your wave carry you to all the success you have earned." 

The impressive group of students are, indeed, moving on to greater oceans. As students were called forward to receive their diplomas, Principal Edwin Burke called out where each graduate was headed. Nearly every member of the 2011 class will be attending a top-notch four-year institution, from George Washington University to Providence College.

While most senior awards were presented on Friday evening at the Academic Convocation, the top two senior awards of the Academy were presented at the end of the graduation ceremony.

The Excelsior Award is presented in recognition of good leadership and participation in co-curricular activities, for showing good human relations and for working coordinately with others in projects of common interest. The senior recipient is selected by a majority vote of the faculty of the Academy. This year’s recipient was Lauren A. Clem, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Clem of Woonsocket.

The All-Mountie Award winner must be above average in academic work, must have participated in at least one interscholastic sport, contributed significantly to the welfare of the Academy through participation in co-curricular activities and must have manifested distinctive qualities of leadership. Finally, the recipient is selected by a majority vote of the faculty. This year’s recipient of the All- Mountie Award was Maria G. Saia, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Vincent J. Saia of Wrentham.

Clem also presented the valedictory address.

"We could not have made it this far without the constant support and attention of everyone present, and we’re glad to share this moment as we round a new and exciting corner of our lives," she said.

Clem encouraged her fellow graduates to face the future fearlessly. "Remember as adults that growing up is not about changing that person you were when you were younger. It’s about building on those experiences, drawing from those memories of long ago, and working them in to who you are today. In a way, growing up is not really about becoming older at all – it’s about becoming wiser. After all, it is the things you loved when you were eight – and not the things you write on your resume when you’re eighteen – that define who you really are," Clem said.

"Throw yourself into life’s challenges, give it all you’ve got, and don’t worry about forgetting your past because it will always be right behind you lending support every step of the way."

Congratulations to all of the 2011 graduates of Mount Saint Charles Academy. 

Graduation List 2011

Mackenzie J. Ahrens
Nickolas S. Arnold *
Christopher J. Astephen *
Mary C. Aveno *
Tyler M. Ayers
Kassia A. Balog
Aimee L. Barone *
Jaclyn M. Bates
Amanda E. Battista *
Tyler W. Begnoche *
Patrick B. Boisclair
Matthew D. Boni *
Alexander R. Bonin *
Kenneth G. Bousquet
Caitlin K. Bray *
Garrett J. Byerly
Caitlyn A. Capparelli
Chelsea E. Cardosa *
Carly B. Christian
Lauren E. Clem *
Alanna R. Conca
Michaela A. Connors
Briana N. Cooney *
Ashley M. Corbeil *
Allison M. Corriveau
Michael S. Corriveau
Matthew J. Cote *
John F. Crawley
Cullen M. Crowley *
Gaetana D’Alesio-Spina *
Melanie L. Davis
Brian A. Deer *
Kristen F. DellaPosta
Zacharey E. Demers
Derek K. Deschene
Cory N. Dexter
Kristina M. Diogo
Steven J. DiSpirito
Timothy P. Doyle *
Amanda L. Dubois
Christopher D. Dugas
Jonathan R. Dupre *
James A. Dushkewich
Alexander G. Erban
Laura L. Fishpaw
Allison M. Flaherty
Alexandra R. Fontaine
Karina A. Fontaine
Gregory M. Fortier *
Daniel C. Foster *
Marissa R. Fuoroli
Lauren K. Galvin
Hannah M. Gardella
Sarah E. Gardner
Cameron B. Gillies
Sarah J. Golden *
Mary E. Grande *
Scott A. Grant
Nicole M. Grinsell *
Mary L. B. Hanahan *
Garrett M. Hayward *
Benjamin C. Heroux
Christopher S. Jackson
Tessa R. Jacobs *
Casey D. Johnson
Micaela T. Kamp *
Zachary S. Kennedy
Thomas P. Kishkovich
Alexandra E. Knight
Matthew J. Koback
Paige G. LaBreche *
Andrew P. Langin
Francis E. Langlais
Alyssa M. Lanzi
Christina M. Lauzier
Katie R. Lavergne
Meryl C. Lawrence *
Michael S. LeBoeuf
Chelsea J. Lee *
David J. Lockerby
Aaron A. Long *
Sean F. Lydon
Michael F. Magerman *
Stevie J. Magnan
Lauren E. Mallon
Sarah L. Manuppelli *
Mykayla R. Marcelino *
Victoria D. Marcello *
Sarah A. Marciniak *
Brianna N. Masse
Brianne S. Mastaj *
Adriana M. Maurano
Kaitlyn S. McCann
Justin C. McCarthy
Patrick L. McCarthy
Catherine M. McGuane
Scott R. McKeon
Anna E. McMann
Avery S. McStay
Alexa M. Mekuto
Emily K. Melanson
Marissa L. Mollicone
Norbert H. Mongeon III *
Brianna J. Montaquila
Radu C. Morar *
Emily C. Morisseau
Courtney A. Motuzas
Amanda L. Mullaney
Joseph D. Murphy
Meagan L. Murphy *
Sarah J. Murray
Tara M. Murray
BriAnna B. Narodowy *
Daniel E. O’Brien
Ryan J. O’Leary
Katherine A. O’Neill
Michael J. Ottaviani
Lauren N. Palazzini *
Jun Hyung Park
Nicholas B. Paul
Steven R. Pelzman *
John W. Perilli *
John K. Picard *
Daniel J. Pirrello
Trevor P. Plante
Matthew B. Polak *
Kathryn A. Pontes *
Lauren G. Porcaro
David Quistberg
Alexandra L. Ramzi
Daniel C. Raposo
Allison E. Remondi
Taylor L. Remy
Autumn L. Richard *
Michael J. Rocchio
Michael C. Rodrigues *
Alyssa M. Rossi *
Olivia N. Rotondo
Erin E. Rouleau *
Brendon T. Ruhan
Brendan P. Ryan
Katherine A. Ryan *
Elyssar Saad *
Maria G. Saia *
Zachary E. Samborsky *
Alexandria E. SanAntonio
Lauren A. Sandbach
Adam R. Schmitt
Clorice E. Senno
Nicole C. Silva *
Meaghan L. Smith
Samantha A. Smith *
Ryan T. Sparks *
Matthew J. St. Germain
Caroline A. Surprenant
Cam R. Sutherland
Katherine Suttmeier
Brandon J. Theroux
Carolyn J. Thirsk *
Gioia A. Tuozzolo
Collins E. Uttermann
Nicholas D. VanWinter
Menka K. Vansant *
Sofie VanSteerteghem
Brian A. Wagner
Matthew T. Walsh
Catherine M. Weiss *
Kathleen M. Welch
Austin F. White
Shannon B. White
Steven L. Whitney
Cara A. Yacino *
Andrew P. Yates *
Edward F. A. Yazbak
Brandon J. Yee

*National Honor Society