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ST. MARY'S ACADEMY CELEBRATES ITS 121^st ANNUAL BACCALAUREATE & COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES


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Celebrating 139 years of excellence in education, St. Mary's Academy held its 121st annual baccalaureate and commencement exercises June 23 at St. Louis Cathedral.

The Most Reverend Dominic Carmen, Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans conferred diplomas on the 61 young women who earned more than $1 million in awards and scholarships. He was assisted by Father James Pawlicki, Chaplain of St. Mary’s Academy; Sister of the Holy Family Jennie Jones, principal of St. Mary’s Academy; Sister of the Holy Family Clare of Assisi Pierre, assistant principal; and Cheryl Ross Brown, assistant principal.

Marcia St. Martin, a 1965 SMA graduate and executive director of New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board addressed the graduates.

Meriting the distinction of valedictorian this year was Ayanna Fultz. Fultz, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kinnil Fultz, was awarded a Dillard University, Nicholls State University and PTA Scholarship the Valedictorian. Earning top awards, Fultz also was honored the highest average in Physics, Mathematics and English. A Regent’s Scholar, she plans to attend Nicholls State University where she will major in nursing.

While at St. Mary’s Fultz was a member of several organizations including the SMA Flag Team, French and Latin clubs, National and SMA Honor Societies and Library Club. Additionally, Fultz served as captain of the SMA Color Guard. During her senior year,Fultz was also concurrently enrolled at Hines Community College where she made the Presidents List, earning 18 college hours.

The salutatorian was Claire Moore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Moore, Sr. A Regents Scholar, Moore was awarded a Families Raising Empowered Educators scholarship and the PTA Scholarship to the salutatorian. Earning top honors, Moore was honored with the highest average award in Latin, Biology, French, Art and Physical Science. She plans to attend the University of New Orleans, where she will major in Business Administration.

While at St. Mary’s, Moore was actively involved in several organizations including the SMA Flag Team, French and Latin Clubs, Art Club, Library Club and SMA and National Honor Society. Additionally, she served as vice president of the Art Club. The youngest of seven children, Moore continues her family’s tradition of excellence, producing three valedictorians and two salutatorians.

Seniors who graduated with ranking honors were Kelly Haywood, Alandrus Lesene, Romere Jones, and Loren Richard.

Other honor graduates were Courtney Lewis, Julia Peters, Jessica Adams, Quintrell Griffin, Morgan White, Megan Duronslet, Jessica Robinson, Tiffany Baptiste, Nikita Jones, Monecia Moody, Stephanie Carradine, Jacquita Walker and Jessica King.

Other graduates were Brandie Andry, Caprice Ann Avery, Candace Baptiste, Gerquel Bowman, Christina Brown, Kentrell Butler, Lauren Coleman, Kandace Converse, Brittany Crawford, Brittney Crump, Heather Daigle, Troyneisha Davis, Jenae' Duroncelay, Arielle Farrar, Kristie Ferrouillet, Morgan Franklin, DeShonda Gaines, Ivana Gautier, Brittney George, Dominique Glover, Nicole Green, Shaquinn Hawkins, Shelita Lawson, Alandrus Lesene, Brittany Marshall, Summer Martin, Deaja' Mitchell, Indya Mudd, Jarel Nicholas, Dione Parks, Deana Powell, Lachelle Ratleff, Tyrealle Reed, Jessica Scott, Kristi Skidmore, Shantell Smothers, Arriane Theophile, Meaghan Triplett, Ashley Turner, Ashley White, Morgan White, Christy Williams, Nicole Winchester and Epiphany Winford.