Celebrating the Class of 2022

“…endings can be a blessing. It is okay to feel timid and hesitant as we move on from things that are comfortable and familiar, but we can’t let that stop us from reaching for new heights. ”

—Ella Bankoski, Class of 2022 Salutatorian Baccalaureate and Commencement exercises for the Class of 2022 returned to a more traditional format than in the past two years. The Baccalaureate Mass, Awards Ceremony and Reception was held on Saturday, May 21. The Mercy High Class of 2022 gathered for their graduation on Tuesday, May 24 with class salutatorian Ella Bankoski welcoming everyone as the first speaker.

Ella Bankoski, daughter of Brian and Tonianne Bankoski of Portland, is an elite student who stands out markedly and brings an energy to the classroom that raises the bar for everyone, and all the while being extraordinarily humble. She exhibits an unwavering positivity, enthusiasm, and love of learning that is evident and inspirational to her peers as well as teachers.

During her high school years, Ella earned the Brown University Book Award, and awards in math, Latin, and chemistry. She was a participant on the

Mercy gymnastics team (serving as this year’s co-captain), dive team, the Junior Classical League, Peer Ministry (serving as a board member),

Mercy Ambassadors, National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society, and Vice President of the Latin National Honor Society.

An avid volunteer, Ella is an altar server, lecturer, liturgical dancer, and a member of the youth choir at St. Mary Church in Portland. She is also a summer camp volunteer at the Young People’s Center for Creative Arts. Ella will be attending Sacred Heart University in the fall.

Ella remarked that she was being reminded, as Commencement proceeded, that she has never been good with endings. “I now understand, though, that endings can be a blessing. It is okay to feel timid and hesitant as we move on from things that are comfortable and familiar, but we can’t let that stop us from reaching for new heights. Mistakes will happen along the way, and it is an unavoidable fact.”

“If there is one thing I know about this class,” she continued, “it is that we know how to get up, dust ourselves off, and laugh about all of our faults. So, when you walk onto this stage tonight, be proud of yourself for getting to this point, for achieving all that you have, for surviving all of the missteps along the way, and always remember, ‘the only impossible journey is the one you never begin.’” (Tony Robbins).

After the conferring of diplomas by the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich, Mercy High President Alissa DeJonge ’95 reflected on the last line of the poem “When This is Over,” which she had just read, “Better for each other because of the worst.”

“Doesn’t that capture the essence of what these four years have been for you, have been TO you? In and through all of the challenges of the pandemic, each one of you has risen to the challenge, has responded to all that your teachers and your parents have asked of you.”

“You have demonstrated resilience. Perseverance. You have found ways—unique ways!— to remain connected as a class even when circumstances separated you,” she continued. “You were better for each other, you ARE better for each other because of the worst. In a nutshell, you were Mercy for each other. For everyone around you. You have shown what it takes to be true Women of Mercy. And now, you will go out and be Mercy in this world.”

She urged the Class of 2022 to “Trust your instincts, have self-confidence, keep your faith, appreciate your perspective, and lean on support systems. There are so many more chapters of your stories to write!”

Shown at right: Salutatorian Ella Bankoski; Mercy High President Alissa DeJonge ’95; Valedictorian Emilia St. Pierre.

Class valedictorian Emilia St. Pierre of Wethersfield then acknowledged and thanked numerous groups and individuals, including “our family members, especially our moms and dads, … for giving us the opportunity to go to Mercy High School. We would not be here today if it weren’t for your selflessness, love, sacrifice, and constant support.”

Her final expression of appreciation was directed to her fellow classmates. “… I want to take a moment to say how proud I am of each and every one of you. After years of constant change and facing the unknown, you are all here graduating today. Despite the rollercoaster that was our high school careers, none of you let that stop you from reaching your goals.”

“Thank you for not only being my classmates and friends but for also being my second family,” Emilia said. “You are all amazing, talented, and beautiful young women, and never let anyone tell you or let you think otherwise. As you embark on this new chapter of life, never forget the bonds you formed and the lessons you learned along the way. I do not doubt that all of you will go on to do amazing things and change the world.”

Emilia, daughter of Mark and Tina St. Pierre, is a kind and unassuming student leader who is a distinguished and self-driven scholar with extraordinary intellect and strength of character. She has a sweet disposition, is highly regarded by faculty and her peers, and is described as a gifted wordsmith and an old soul who is wise beyond her years.

During her high school years, Emilia was the recipient of the Harvard Book Award and several academic awards in English, math, history, and Spanish. She has been a participant on the Mercy dance team, gymnastics team, and cheerleading team. She is a selected Peer Minister and became a Eucharistic Minister and has been a School Ambassador representing Mercy at open houses and other recruiting events.

As a member of the McAuley Chapter of the National Honor Society, Emilia has served as the Vice President of Committees and as the Vice President of Tutoring for the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. She is also a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and the Fight Against Cancer Club, has participated in the Mercy/Xavier musical, and is a competitive dancer.

Emilia has also been an active and engaged volunteer at St. Isidore and Maria Parish’s Vacation Bible School, Soup Supper at Incarnation Church, St. Vincent de Paul, Foodshare, and as a math tutor. In the fall, Emilia will study elementary education at Sacred Heart University.

Noting that graduation can be bittersweet, Emilia concluded, “Before I walk off this stage for the last time, I would like to share with you all a quote from the TV show This Is Us that I believe is very fitting for today.

“If something makes you sad when it ends, it must have been pretty wonderful when it was happening… The end is not sad…It’s just the start of the next incredibly beautiful thing. Congratulations to the Mercy High School Class of 2022. We did it!” “As you embark on this new chapter of life, never forget the bonds you formed and the lessons you learned along the way. I do not doubt that all of you will go on to do amazing things and change the world.”

—Emilia St. Pierre, Class of 2022 Valedictorian

Alissa Cathryn Algiere *•« Ashley Sophia Amendola Grace Marie Andrea *«+ Elisabeth Reagan Appell Ella Grace Bankoski *§« Sydney Lynn Barber § Meaghan Anne Bertolami * Callia Jean Borkowski Mackenzie Denise Breton Elizabeth Ann Brown *§« Isabelle Patricia Aylin Camli-Saunders Madilyn Marie Carbone *^ Caroline Rose Carella * Grace Catherine Cink *#~§« Peyton Kanona Cirillo ~ Gianna Elizabeth Corso Kelly Preston Cullen * Chanel Antonia Delgado Calle Theoren Dennis Adriana Nicole Diaz *«+ Sharon D'Mello Jessica Tyler Eaton Bridget Evelyn Eberhart *•« Alexia Rose Fenteany *« Lilybeth Marie Fernandez + Aliana Rose Fichera Leah Marie Flores + Camryn Elizabeth Fowler + Hannah Elizabeth Gilbert *#«+ Jessica Marie Goduto ^ Isabella Elise Gonzalez Ashley Victoria Guyon + Bridget Claire Higgins *~« Kassandra Priscilla Howe ~+ Sarah Marie Hughes * Elizabeth Tina Indomenico *^ Lily Christina Jackson *^ Shelby Lee Johnson + Mary Rec Kasperowski Alexandra Madison Kelley *+ Johanna Hedwig Krupski ~ Aine Chuangling Leigh Lally *^ Ashlyn Rose Liedke *~§ Abigail Marie Malerba Sofia Suzanne Mancini Kathryn Anne Marocchini *«+ Maeve Katherine Martin *§« Ava Mary Milardo Haley Danielle Morales-Vasquez Allison Morris *+ Ava Maria Noviello Amanda Evellz Ogando + Paula Martina Opeña *~+ Alyssa Michelle Pace *§ Julia Claire Phillips *#•« Toryn Shea Pulling *#~§ Emily Ann Pulvirenti *« Natalie Marie Pulvirenti *« Nudrat Rana # Nicole Yvonne Reagan *« Hanna Riccardi Katherine Elizabeth Rigsby *«+ Sarah Grace Seymour * Yizhen Mona Shao *•« Brooke Erin Sheehy Olivia Grace Shipman Ryan Paige Snow Emilia Grace St. Pierre *«+ Isabelle Sarah Stottlemyer *•« Samantha Ann Strell *« Katherine Amalia Terlecky Breanne Elizabeth Truscinski *« Charlene Anne Weaver *«+ Cassidy Jane Wichman *#«+ Spencer Wrubleski # Faith Frances Yusza *§« Lucy Caroline Xian Zajack *~«

* National Honor Society # AP Capstone Diploma Candidate • French National Honor Society ~ International Thespian Society ^ Italian National Honor Society § Latin National Honor Society « Math National Honor Society + Spanish National Honor Society

Tri-M Music Honor Society

Graduates of the Class of 2022 will be attending the following colleges and universities:

American University American International College Assumption University Auburn University Boston College Central Connecticut State University College of the Holy Cross Culinary Institute of America Daytona State College Eastern Connecticut State University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Fairfield University Fordham University High Point University Kenyon College Loyola University Chicago Monmouth University Montclair State University Pennsylvania State University Providence College Quinnipiac University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rider University Roger Williams University Rutgers University Sacred Heart University Saint Joseph’s University Sarah Lawrence College St. John’s University The University of Tampa The University of Tennessee Three Rivers Community College Union College University of Connecticut University of Hartford University of Maryland University of New Hampshire University of New Haven University of Rhode Island University of Saint Joseph University of Scranton University of South Carolina Villanova University Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Class of 2022 Graduation—Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Mercy Legacy: Alumnae Mothers with 2022 Graduates

Front row, left to right: Camryn Fowler; Hanna Riccardi; Nicole Reagan; Jessica Eaton; Lucy Zajack; Alexia Fenteany; Abigail Malerba. Back row, left to right: Cory (Cameron) Fowler’93 (absent from photo, grandmother Ann-Marie (Kilmartin) Tomaszewski’70); Kristen (Williams) Riccardi ’93; Rena (DiBernardi) Reagan’84; Tania (Herteux) Eaton’85; Susan McMahon’71; Fiona (Hall) Fenteany’91; Sarah (Cunningham) Duplin’94.