On Friday, June 7th, under the white tent on our library lawn, 103 seniors became alumnae of Notre Dame Academy.
Earning over $36 million in scholarship and merit aid, the graduating class will attend the most prestigious colleges and universities across the country. Including West Point, to be attended by Kristen Gullickson.
The ceremony began with words of encouragement from Principal Kate Jaenicke. “You are Generation Z. You are the most diverse generation this country has ever seen, and you are social justice warriors. You will become entrepreneurs, creators, and contributors who are passionately committed to making this world a better place to live and grow and learn."
Our Valedictorian Julianna Meyer will be attending CUNY Macaulay Honors-Hunter College. She graduated as an AP Scholar with Honors, a member of the National Honor Society, and is the daughter of alumna Jennifer Meyer, Class of '86.
Julianna addressed her class and reminisced on all that they learned at NDA, "We're going to take the heart and passion that Notre Dame Academy has given us, the courage that has been instilled in us, and we're going to change the world, one step at a time, one hope then another."
Ciara Marro-Wilson, Salutatorian, will be attending Salve Regina University. She graduated as an AP Scholar with Honors, a member of the National Honor Society, and is the daughter of alumna Elizabeth Marro, Class of '82.
Ciara reminded her class of what it means to be an NDA graduate, "Part of Notre Dame Academy's graduate profile is to be a woman of courage and conviction, which means that we persist in reaching our goals, we practice integrity, we value ourselves, and because we value ourselves we are able to overcome anything and everything. We must take advantage of our courage and allow it to help us discover aspects of ourselves we never imaged having. We must remember that it is with courage that we enter a battle and leave as winners."
Guest speaker Lynn Amato White, '88, currently serves as the Group Vice President in International Strategy for the National Hockey League. She had great advice for the new alumnae.
"In order to achieve any success, you need to try, to make an attempt, to act, to take a shot. Fear of failure can be the biggest factor in not achieving success. What that means for you is recognizing that you will need to get comfortable with the idea of being uncomfortable in order to move forward. Class of 2019--I am challenging you to be conscious of self rather than self-conscious. To take action even when success is not assured. "
Congratulations to the Class of 2019!
Photos courtesy of Ron Jordan Natoli Studios.