Presentation of Mary Academy Graduates 43
June 14, 2019
by Len Lathrop
The historic Chapel, full even with extra chairs in the rooms, gave witness to a beautiful graduation Liturgy. Pomp filled the chapel as the graduates arrived, led by the teachers and staff of the Academy. Following a welcome from graduate Rebecca Mattei-Brown, Father Volney DeRosia from St. Patrick’s Parish in Pelham was the celebrant; the first reading from Ephesians 3:16-21 was by Michael Wimmer; while the choir sang the response through the celebration, the responsorial psalm 139 was offered by Tanvi Menghani.
Many students each recited a line in the Prayer of the Faithful, while the choir’s soloist and background singers and instrumentalists filled the chapel with sound, dancers presented the bread and wine to Father Vonney for Communion. After Communion the Mass was closed with the “Anne-Marie Rivier” song written by Mrs. Gonzalez, the music director of the school.
Sister Maria Rosa opened the graduation ceremony speaking to the students about what they learned at PMA. As only those who know Sister would understand, she has known them from “walking and talking and learning bathroom etiquette” to understanding their time at the school and to what special individuals they have become. Diplomas and awards were given to each graduate and two students laid flowers in front of the statue of Mary and the choir performed “Ave Maria” by Giulio Caccini with a solo by Sofia Ocque.
Joshua Taylor received the Zachary Tompkins Christian Award. This award is given to a student who through the years has demonstrated a commitment to his/her faith and has not been afraid to live that faith through word, action and attitude.
The Mother Rivier Award went to Henry Musa. This award is given in honor of Blessed Anne Marie Rivier, the Foundress of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary. This honor is bestowed up a student who has demonstrated academic effort, generous service, simplicity, and a sense of humor.
And as is traditional, the class assembled in front of the Chapel for its class song “I Was Here” by Diane Eve Warren, they were accompanied by fellow classmate Joshua Taylor from the choir loft, playing the keyboard with a broken wrist.
Congratulations to Presentation of Mary Academy’s Class of 2019!
Melissa Alhamis
Chase Amaral
Santiago Annunziato
Olivia Bartos
Patrick Beaudin
Charlotte Bell
Daniel Bentley
Christopher Bethea
Thomas Campbell
Carlo Catalan
Zachary Connerty
Ryanne Delaney
Shealyn Foley
Maximilian Franco-Gomez
Elizabeth Hemenway
Kieran Hummer
Ava Katis
Aiden Laurendeau
Kenzie Legg
Joseph Lizzie
Robert Lizzie
Rebecca Mattei-Brown
Tanvi Menghani
William Moynihan
Henry Musa
Audrey Normand
Miguel Ocque
Andres Ortiz
Hannah Pavletich
Jivan Pokhrel
Shannon Reilly
Joseph Ribeck
Alexander Ross
Jack Rossetti
Florian Severe
Grevaan Singh
Delia Sullivan
Katherine Swan
Joshua Taylor
Katherine Waden
Lillian Wilder
Michael Wimmer
Dylan Yeung
