Academy of Our Lady celebrated its twelfth baccalaureate mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Marrero and commencement exercise at the Alario Center in Westwego on May 14. Diplomas were awarded to 101 graduates by Principal Sister Michelle Geiger. Dr. RaeNell Houston, Superintendent of Catholic Schools of Archdiocese of New Orleans, addressed the graduates during the commencement exercise. The Class of 2019 earned a total of $5,423,632 in scholarships.
The valedictorian was Zarifa R. Abdeljabar, of Gretna. Abdeljabar is the daughter of Ms. Sandra Kasem and Mr. Rami Abdeljabar. She plans to attend Loyola University New Orleans on scholarship.
The salutatorian was Alexandra D. Mahler, of Westwego. Mahler is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Barnette Mahler, Jr. She plans to attend Loyola University New Orleans on scholarship.
Honor graduates were Olivia P. Arnold, Magen A. Authement, Anastasia K. Azore, Franchesca J. T. Basalo, Hannah L. Bauer, Gianna R. Ezeb, Abby L. Heitmeier, Mariela J. Lirette, Hailey L. Lovell, Katelyn E. Luebbert, Michelle Luu, ViTuong T. Nguyen, Alexia T. Nguyen, Danielle M. Poussard, Kayla M. Rico, Abbey M. Rodivich, Amelia E. Russell, Megan M. Russell, Breanna M. Serigny, Michaela T.A. Thaibinh, Georgette L. Toups, Thanh V. Vo and Yunge Zhang.
Graduates were Emilie M. Adams, Laila D. Alario, Samantha R. Arnold, Elizabeth A. Babcock, Kylie L. Babin, Harlee A. Barbier, Emily A. Bates, Olivia R. Bernard, Nia A. Berry, Linzie A. Bladsacker, Alyssa L. Bordelon, Madeline R. Boudreau, Madison M. Bouvier, Ashley K. Brown, Angelle I. Bruchi, Bailey E. Bruno, Haley M. Bryan, Abby R. Camp, Chloe M. Carrier, Caroline M. Chatelain, Hailie M. Childs, Jacqueline M. Cook, Kassi R. Cressonie, Kayla L. Crowden, Brooke M. Davis, Victoria L. Davis-Abad, Savannah R. DeMatteo, Jaylynn S. Dibble, Megan E. Dufrene, Lindsey E. Floyd, Mone't J. Franklin, Hannah L. Fremen, Kristin M. Garland, Kaitlyn A. Gegenheimer, Macy J. Glenn, Madison E. Graefenstein, Laila I. Griffin, Ashlyn V. Gulizo, Grace K. Hardy, Lauryn E. Hartsell, Char'Donnay V. Hawkins, Rae'ven C. Houston, Macie R. Hymel, Kimberly M. Kline, Madeline M. Lambourg, Emma B. Leighton, Giavonni M. Lewis, Viviann M. Manning, Alexis I. Marshall, Onyiyechi O. Mmonu, Madison N. Moya, Rachel M. Nail, Abbie N. Nelson, Brionne' A. E. Nelson, Jayna M. Ockman, Mackenzie F. O'Meara, Skylar T. O'Quin, Emily M. Parker, Victoria R. Parria, Price E. Payne, Tyrolynn N. Penn, Thu A. Pham, Kayla M. Richardson, Kallie R. Robichaux, Ashley J. Roche', Nokomis M. Rocker, Ada M. Rome, Malika V. Russell, Cassidy N. Sposito, Taylor M. Stainback, Skylar R. Tassin, Amari J. Vance, Katie E. Warrington, Heidi K. Welch, Alyra G. Youyoute and Bailey A. Ziegel.
Two of Academy of Our Lady’s most prestigious awards were presented at the commencement ceremony. The Fiat Voluntas Tua Award at Academy of Our Lady is the highest award presented to a graduate whose life of character, service, leadership and school spirit reflects openness to God’s plan for her and for all those she encounters. The 2019 Fiat Voluntas Tua Award was presented to Gianna Ezeb, of Gretna.
The 2019 Golden Scepter Award recipients were Megan Dufrene, of Westwego, for completing more than 900 hours of service. The Golden Scepter Award reflects the image of Mary under the title of “Help of Christians.” Although each graduate is required to fulfill 75 hours of service, the Golden Scepter Award honors a graduate who has gone over and above the required hours.
Honor graduates were announced during the awards ceremony following the baccalaureate mass.
Front Row (left to right): Danielle Poussard, Alexia Nguyen, Hailey Lovell, Zarifa Abdeljabar, Alexandra Mahler, Gianna Ezeb, Georgette Toups, Thanh Vo and Michelle Luu.
Back Row (left to right): Kayla Rico, Anastasia Azore, Breanna Serigny, Abby Heitmeier, Olivia Arnold, Katelyn Luebbert, ViTuong Nguyen and Amelia Russell.
Golden Scepter Award
Principal Sr. Michelle Geiger presented the Golden Scepter Award to Megan Dufrene during the commencement exercise.
Fiat Voluntas Tua Award
Principal Sr. Michelle Geiger presented the Fiat Voluntas Tua Award to Gianna Ezeb during the commencement exercise.
Special Awards and Scholarships
American Legion Scholarship Zarifa Abdeljabar
Knights of Columbus Patriotic Award Gianna Ezeb
Woodman of the World America History Award Abby Camp
Rotary Club Award Danielle Poussard
Unheralded Senior Award Kayla Crowden
Emily Cercena Faith Scholarship
The Emily Cercena Faith Scholarship is a one-time memorial award given this year to a senior who exemplifies the faith characteristics Emily strived to live out in her daily life. As a 2007 graduate of Immaculata, Emily’s love for the Salesian charisma and Christ were extremely evident in her courageous life all the way to the end. This scholarship honors Emily and is given in her spirit to a student who demonstrated the importance of God’s role in her life. The recipient of this award is Gianna Ezeb.
Dual Enrollment Awards For completing the Louisiana State Department of Education Requirements for dual enrollment credit.
3-6 Credit Hours
Three Credit Hours Hailie Childs
Emma Leighton
Mariela Lirette
Katie Warrington