Graduation 2020

Graduation Photo Gallery Day 1 - May 28

Graduation Photo Gallery Day 2 - May 29

Graduation Photo Gallery Day 3 - May 30

Tuesday, May 12 marked what should have been graduation day for Academy of Our Lady’s thirteenth graduating class. Due to the global pandemic, a ceremony was not able to be held. Rather, a private ceremony was held over the course of May 28, 29, and 30 for each graduate and her family.
 
Diplomas were awarded to 98 resilient graduates who maintained a positive outlook while completing their senior year remotely through distance learning.  The Class of 2020 earned a total of $6,409,474 in scholarships. In addition, Academy of Our Lady’s Class of 2020 is leaving campus with a total 469 college credit hours.
 
The valedictorian is Gillian Decossas, of Marrero. Decossas is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Decossas. She plans to attend Loyola University New Orleans on scholarship where she will study biochemistry in hopes of attending medical school.
 
 The salutatorian is Lorynn Coulon, of Westwego. Coulon is the daughter of Ms. Brandy Coulon. She plans to attend Loyola University New Orleans on scholarship where she will major in business.
 
Honor graduates are Amally Abdeljabar, Hannah Autry, Kenidee Bailey,
Kaylin Bair, Natalie Bui, Leigha Cox, Rebecca Dobson, Lindsey Ferguson, Taylor Hamback, Hope Hebert, Mallory Hines, Amy Hoang, Julia Mai, Ariana Nguyen, Lindsey Nguyen and Rachelle Sancho.
 
Three 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 2020 Fiat Voluntas Tua Award was presented to Bella Pscenicka, of Marrero.
 
The 2020 Golden Scepter Award recipient was Emily Mailhos, of Marrero, 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.
 
The Unheralded Senior Award, is voted on by the faculty to recognize a senior who works hard in a quiet way, continually giving of herself, willing to work in every possible way for the school. She does this without seek recognition and without calling attending to herself. The Unheralded Senior Award was presented to Madison Hill, of Westwego.
 
 
In Academy of Our Lady tradition a group of students are honored for their dedication to the community. These awards are given by community organizations. The 2020 recipient of the American Legion Scholarship is Mallory Hines, of Avondale. The American Legion Scholarship is regarded as the highest honor given to any civilian. The scholarship is based on five principals –courage, honor, leadership, patriotism and service.
 
The 2020 Knights of Columbus Patriotic Award recipient is Kaylin Bair, of Marrero. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus in Louisiana have instituted this award to be presented to a graduating senior for outstanding manifestation of patriotism in her daily life. The recipient must be exemplary in her academic endeavors, by her nature, be endowed with the fraternal spirit conducive to love of God and country.
 
The Woodman of the World American History Award recipient is Lindsey Ferguson, of Marrero. The Woodman of the World Organization seeks to foster a patriotic attitude and profound appreciation for the miracle that is America. This award is presented each year in schools across the nation to students demonstrating qualities of character, leadership, service and academic achievement and is the most proficient in the student of American History.
 
The Rotary Club Award is presented to an outstanding senior who demonstrates qualities of leadership and service. Rotary International values the contribution of youth to their communities through volunteer service. The recipient of this award is Rebecca Dobson, of Belle Chasse.
 
As members of the National Honor Society, 20 graduating seniors have earned the academic honor of wearing an NHS stole during the graduation ceremony. These seniors are Amally Abdeljabar, Hannah Autry, Kaylin Bair, Natalie Bui, Mallory Carubba, Lorynn Coulon, Leigha Cox, Gillian Decossas, Rebecca Dobson, Lindsey Ferguson, Alexis Guidry, Taylor Hamback, Hope Hebert, Mallory Hines, Amy Hoang, Julia Mai, Emily Mailhos, Ariana Nguyen, Lindsey Nguyen and Rachelle Sancho.
 
Unique to Academy of Our Lady is the Program of Academic Majors. The Program of Academic Majors affords students the opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience prior to stepping foot on a university campus.  This program is offered in conjunction with the required college preparatory curriculum. Academy of Our Lady offers four paths of study through the Program of Academic Majors including Health Science, STEM, Law & Civil Leadership and Culinary Arts. A total of 41 students have completed the courses work required to receive the honor of wearing a regalia honor cord reflective of the major during graduation.
 
Graduates are  Destiny Ahysen, Abby Arceneaux, Lauren Baldassaro, A’leciah Barnes, Claire Begault, Chloe Benoit Jaycie Bergeron, Maci Berthelot, Madeline Blanchard, Emilie Boudreaux, Alexis Bromley, Elizabeth Bybee,  Noelle Campbell, Kaitlyn Camus, Shelby Cancienne, Sierra Carter,  Mallory Carubba, Xiola Chicas, Claire Clayton, Re’vin Cobb, Briana Connor, Ayden Cosgrove, Jenna Cressonie,  Kayli Custodio, Hannah DiFebbo, Nadya Duran, Gina Escude, Hannah Este, Tatum Foret, Jewel Freeman, Corinne Frisella, Emily Gassenberger,  Sarah Gassenberger, Veronica Glenn, Ellie Green, Hailie Griffin, Alexis Guidry, Nicole Guillot,  Kayla Hebert, Claire Hill, Madison Hill, Elicia Holmes, Jordin Hubbard, Grace Hudson, Harley Johansen, Taylor Jones, Tasia Jordan, Kaitlyn Kinkaid, Trinity LeBlanc, Chelsea LeCompte, Bailey Ledet, Alyssa Loyacano, Emily Mailhos, Megan Majoria, Hannah Marque, Taylor Matherne, Hailey Mayeaux, Isabella Medina, Eden Messa, Paulina Mora, Baylee Murray, Katie Nguyen, Lindsey Nguyen, Bella Pscenicka, Jessica Pustanio, Brianna Richardson, Adeline Ripberger, Hailey Rodriguez, Melanie Ros, Madelynn Rossi, C’Era Sexton, Aliyah Slack, Kayln Talamo, Sarah Theriot, Victoria Varela, Cambre Vegas, Malanna Verdi, Amber Verdin, Jade Walker, Lainey Watson and Jayla Woods.
 
Academy of Our Lady’s Principal Sr. Michelle Geiger has described this graduating class as a group characterized by maturity, compassion and loving kindness. She went on to say, “despite the difficulty of the circumstances, this class has proven themselves women of character, living our values of faith and Salesian family.”