One hundred nineteen seniors in the class of 2018 graduated from Mount St. Mary Academy in the commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 24th at Robinson Auditorium. The graduates, accepted at 78 colleges and universities across the county, will be venturing out to states as far as Nebraska, Florida, Ohio and California. This year’s graduating class completed 12,620 hours of volunteer service during their junior and senior years, and 81% of the 119 seniors received scholarships totaling $10.7 million from collegiate and other institutions.
Gretchen Hall ’97, President/CEO of Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, delivered the commencement address, where she advised graduates to be mindful of the choices they make in life and to take the opportunities afforded to them. She emphasized the importance of paying attention to details early on in their careers and treating people with dignity and respect, and she urged them to continue lifelong learning, seek out mentors, and travel in order to broaden their views of the world.
Speeches by the Class of 2018 Honor Graduates included the introduction of the speaker by fifth honor graduate MaryClaire Fox, the invocation by fourth honor graduate Liza Moriconi, the class essay, “United,” by third honor graduate Carol Stover, the salutatory address, “Stronger,” by second honor graduate Clare Martine, and the valedictory address, “Forward,” by first honor graduate Katie Strickland.
The Most Reverend Anthony B. Taylor, Bishop of Little Rock, presented the diplomas as MSM Principal Angie Collins announced each graduate and the college she will attend. They were joined on stage by Superintendent of Catholic schools Mrs. Vernell Bowen; MSM assistant principal, Mrs. Sara Jones; and MSM academy board chair, Mr. Phillip Gillam.
In the spirit of the class song performed by the Class of 2018, “Wherever I Go” by Miley Cyrus, the class leaves Mount St. Mary Academy united as a class and stronger in Mercy, challenged to show the face of Mercy to the world as women of wisdom, compassion and integrity.
More photos from Class of 2018 Graduation at https://www.flickr.com/photos/mtstmary/sets/72157669400185978