125th Commencement

The Class of 2022 was celebrated for their accomplishments as well as their fortitude, grace, and joy. We also honored the surprising parallels with the first ever graduating class.

The few drops of rain that sprinkled over Kelly Mac Field on May 20, 2022, only added a flourish to the momentous 125th commencement of The Ursuline School. The Class of 2022 is “truly extraordinary” proclaimed President Dr. Colleen Melnyk.

Notwithstanding the past two-and-a half-years of remote learning, hybrid schedules, mask mandates, and frequent Zooms, the 163 members of the Class of 2022 completed global capstones, science research, art portfolios and sports seasons. They were accepted into 220 different colleges, earning nearly $23 million in college scholarships and awards.

Valedictorian Julia Ognibene beautifully described this distinctive class as she proclaimed, “The vibrancy, integrity and unity we have maintained as a class throughout the challenging circumstances we endured is unparalleled. This differentiates us as a class. This reveals our true character of fortitude and grace. No doubt, this fortitude and grace developed as a result of the Ursuline experience.”

She also pointed out, “Our Ursuline experience has brought us closer to our spiritual selves. If we’ve learned nothing else through embodying Ursuline’s motto, it’s that Serviam is what we are here on earth to do. Through our spiritual journeys at Ursuline, we have learned that service brings light to the world, and over time, meaning to our lives. Each morning, we asked Saint Angela to watch over us all our days and Saint Ursula to protect our future. We grew closer to our faith individually and as a class. I hope that as we depart on our separate journeys, that we continue to pray this prayer every morning. Now, more than ever, may Saint Angela watch over us all our days, and Saint Ursula protect our future!”

Salutatorian Rory Sibley noted the important role of Ursuline faculty as she said, “To our teachers, I want to convey our sincerest gratitude for all the patience and diligence you have shown us over the years; the dedication to your work and students, which is especially recognized considering the chaos these last two years have presented, has enriched us, mind, body, and soul. Each and every one of you has made crucial, unforgettable impacts on our lives.

Mr. Bratt and his direction towards international concerns have allowed us to develop more globally-focused mindsets that see beyond our own communities. Mr. Monacelli has prompted us to challenge social norms and find passion in male-dominated science fields. Mrs. Joyce’s dual commitment, to organize all the extraordinary affairs of Senior Year whilst sparking interests in many genres of literature, has demonstrated what it is to properly manage our schedules and understand the difference between prioritizing academics and celebratory needs. These are just to name a few, but I want every teacher to know that your mentorship has helped us forge our own beautifully distinct voices, has inspired us to pursue our greatest aspirations, and has helped us learn how to overcome challenges in the face of defeat.”

Dr. Colleen Melnyk and Salutatorian Rory Sibley

The faculty and staff lined the Senior Path to cheer on the Seniors as they processed from the Ring Day steps to Kelly Mac Field. Principal Rosemary Beirne welcomed the families and guests assembled on the field. After the invocation by Msgr. Keane, Ms. Wendy Harmer led the Senior members of the Honors Choir in singing “The Star Spangled Banner.”

At the conferring of diplomas, we acknowledged the eight daughters of alumnae, one granddaughter of an alumna, and one great-granddaughter of an alumna. It was so wonderful to witness our rich lineage. The six sets of twins also had their special moments and photographs.

Dr. Melnyk’s address noted the historic nature of this commencement when she described the class as “faithful members of a strong community that has existed for 125 years. Though you may think you have endured a singular experience, there are some surprising parallels between you, the Class of 2022, and the FIRST graduating class of The Ursuline School. . . The first graduates of The Ursuline School experienced great social change and survived a worldwide pandemic. . . Despite the finite opportunities presented to those early graduates, they shared a deep faith and optimism in their ability to go forth and find their place in society at a time when society was evolving. In addition, they relied upon each other as a community to move forward in the world.” We invite you to read the full transcript of Dr. Melnyk’s commencement address on page 9.

1. Alexandra Alaimo and

Gigi George Alaimo ’89 2. Olivia Bonavita and

Rosanna Cipollari Bonavita ’85 3. Emily Carr and

Jeanne Walsh Carr ’87 4. Margaret Gordon and

Keara O’Donnell Gordon ’86

5. Rory Keane and

Monique Geissler Keane ’84 6. Taylor Fishman and

Tara Kennedy Fishman ’89 7. Santina Madden and

Dina Cavallo Madden ’86

8. Alexandra Vasti and

Danielle DeRenzis Vasti ’95

Rory Sibley Granddaughter of Patricia Kennedy Lahey ’52

Katherine Benjamin Great-granddaughter of Mary Dee Benjamin ’33

In the Honors and Awards portion of the program, Assistant Principals Robyn Summa and Liz Lynch announced student recognitions as student names were displayed on the large screens. National Academic Recognition based on PSAT test scores:

National Merit Finalist – Lola Milazzo National Merit Commended Students – Frances Cockburn, Brooke Snyder, Mary Wrotniak National African American Recognition Program - Frances Cockburn, Kamryn Gaines, Safiya Grant, Jannett Martiena National Hispanic Recognition Program - Sofia Alvarez, Anna Brody, Caroline Brody, Caitlyn Negron, Sofia OdehCintora

Anna Ausanio, Anaya Balkcom, Anna Brody, Caroline Brody, Erica Cally, Emma Centenni, Frances Cockburn, Angelina Coppola, Abigail D’Angelo, Sophia Frank, Mackenzie Handler, Catherine Hickey, Kelly Katsoris, Rachael Mannix, Jannett Martiena, Mary Wrotniak

Classics – Sophia Frank Computer Science, in memory of Frances LoCicero Bailie ’61 – Frances Cockburn English – Sofia Odeh-Cintora Mathematics – Julia Ognibene Media Arts – Kamryn Gaines Performing Arts – Santina Madden Physical Education – Jannett Martiena Religious Studies – Kelly Katsoris Science – Rory Sibley Social Studies – Lola Milazzo Visual Arts – Mary Whelan World Languages: Italian – Isabella Castellano, Spanish – Susan McGuckin

Student Council Leadership Awards – Olivia Oshiro, Olivia Zerafa Fathers’ Club Award – Jennipher Martiena Mothers’ Auxiliary Award – Olivia Goncalves Ursuline Alumnae Key – Margaret Gordon Katherine Johnson Memorial Award – Frances Cockburn Emily A. Clemente Memorial Award – Lola Milazzo Sheila Kelly Memorial Award – Anna Galdabini Sister JB Nicholson, OSU Award – Kayla-Ann Johnson Principal’s Award – Safiya Grant

American University Belmont University Berklee College of Music Binghamton University 4 Boston College Clemson University 4 College of Charleston 2 College of the Holy Cross 2 Cornell University 2 Delaware State University Drexel University 2 Elon University Emory University Endicott College Fairfield University 9 Fordham University 9 Georgetown University 3 Howard University 2 Indiana University-Bloomington 4 Iona College 8 James Madison University 2 John Carroll University Johns Hopkins University 2 Lafayette College Lehigh University 2 LIM College Louisiana State University Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago Loyola University Maryland Manhattanville College 3 Marist College Marquette University Maryland Institute College of Art Massachusetts Institute of Technology Merrimack College Miami University, Oxford 3 Michigan State University New York University 2 Northeastern University Northwestern University Pace University, New York City Campus Pace University, Westchester Campus Princeton University Providence College 9 Quinnipiac University 3 Rochester Institute of Technology Rutgers University-New Brunswick 2 Sacred Heart University 2 San Diego State University Sarah Lawrence College Savannah College of Art & Design SCAD Seton Hall University Southern Methodist University 2 St. John’s University-New York Stony Brook University 4 SUNY at Purchase College SUNY Westchester Community College 2 Syracuse University The Catholic University of America The University of Alabama 2 The University of Tampa 4 The University of Tennessee Knoxville 2 Trinity College Dublin Tulane University of Louisiana 2 University of Arizona 3 University of Colorado Boulder University of Delaware 4 University of Iowa University of Miami 2 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor University of Pennyslvania University of Richmond University of Scranton University of South Carolina-Columbia University of Southern California University of Vermont 2 University of Wisconsin-Madison Villanova University 3 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Wake Forest University Washington University in St Louis

Good morning. It is my privilege to preside over the 125th graduation of The Ursuline School. Parents, families, we are so happy to celebrate this accomplished class who have demonstrated maturity and joy throughout their years here.

Each class is distinctive. You, the Class of 2022, are truly extraordinary. First, your class embodies an important milestone for The Ursuline School. Yours is the 125th commencement of The Ursuline School. You are a testament to the fact that we are rooted in a solid foundation, yet we are forward facing and future oriented. Second, this class has held a ringside seat to a remarkable period over the last two-and-a-half years AND you have thrived.

Your high school years were disrupted by acute social change and a worldwide pandemic. Yet, this past fall, when you returned to school for a full year of in-person learning, you beautifully demonstrated your ability to operate with a growth mindset. There is a lot you can be proud of.  You and your classmates were accepted into 220 different colleges and, together, you have earned nearly $23 million in college scholarships and awards.  Despite interrupted sports seasons these past few years, a number of you will be able to compete in your sport at the college level.  Remote learning did not deter the science researchers among you – you completed your 3-year research and clearly demonstrated an understanding of scientific methodology.  Hybrid schedules and Zooms notwithstanding, the

Global Scholars finalized and presented capstone projects that considered specific global inequities and offered thoughtful solutions.

 The visual artists in your class displayed excellent skill The Ursuline School Commencement Address 2022 by Dr. Colleen Melnyk THE URSULINE SCHO O LC elebrating 125 years development and creativity in your art portfolios, whether in the Virtual Art Shows in the past two years or this year in person.  The performing artists among you delighted us last year in our first ever outdoor music and dance recital, and this year enjoyed performing in our usual spaces. Each of you, in your own way, persevered, progressed, and achieved excellence. Perhaps more importantly, you each possess attributes which will hold you in good stead as you continue your educational journey. Your teachers describe you as an adaptable group; living through immense challenges has brought out your resilience. In addition, you are: unafraid to try new things; remain open to new ideas; and are great problem solvers. Those aren’t empty words! They are ringing endorsements that you embraced the real deep learning cycle of inquiry, exploration, curiosity - motivated to try additional investigation – in other words what we try to capture by our motto: Educate Inspire Empower. Despite the uncertainty of the last several years, you, the Class of 2022, continued to show compassion and kindness towards each other. And, you have expressed great care for others. I’m not just referring to the 6,000 hours of service that you logged but that you, as global citizens, responded both to local needs and international concerns - food drives to replenish neighborhood food pantries and fundraisers to help Ukrainian children. What a beautiful legacy and what a testament to the Ursuline charism and mission. I would add one other phrase to describe you: faithful members of a strong community that has existed for 125

years. Though you may think you have endured a singular experience, there are some surprising parallels between you and the FIRST graduating class of The Ursuline School.

You may know Sister Irene Gill founded The Ursuline School in New Rochelle in 1897. Mother Irene, as she was known, was truly a woman ahead of her time and there is some mystery and intrigue to this “founding” story. It THE URSULINE SCHOO L involves a fire and some secrets, but it has a happy ending! Graduates - come back to visit us this fall and I will tell you more! The first student enrolled in The Ursuline School was named Mary Brady and her nickname was Mazy. We know a lot about Mazy Brady. For example, she and a number of her classmates survived the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. Five years later, she and her fellow alums were granted the right to vote when the 19th amendment was passed. Mazy went on to become an educator and taught locally. She now rests here in New Rochelle. The first graduates of The Ursuline School experienced great social change and survived a worldwide pandemic. Mazy Brady and her classmates had limited career options when they graduated from The Ursuline School. They could become teachers or nurses, or nuns. Records of the time indicate that many of these women also went on to become wives and mothers.

Despite the finite opportunities presented to those early graduates, they shared a deep faith and optimism in their C elebrating 125 years ability to go forth and find their place in society at a time when society was evolving. In addition, they relied upon each other as a community to move forward in the world. There are other common experiences that connect you to Ursuline alumnae across the generations. Many of the traditions we celebrate today are the legacies that have been handed down from generations of our students to each other. On Ring Day this past October, you walked across this stage through the giant ring, as every Senior Class has done since 1940, and received your Ursuline ring. That day represents simple but powerful things: unity, togetherness, and joy. The crossing of the threshold symbolizes connection to the school community summed up in the Latin phrase inscribed in your rings: Ac

Fui, meaning, “I was there, I was a part.”

Like Mazy and her classmates, you have been a part of a unique and pivotal time not just for our school but for our nation and the world. The last several years have produced a global pandemic, political divisions, civil unrest, and global conflict.

Despite local and global challenges, you leaned upon our rituals, our heritage, our core values, and our community to persevere and move forward. And, you did this with joy! You smiled as you tinkered with new tools in the iHub. You beamed as you worked together on assignments in the Christina Jun Murphy Student Commons. You laughed in the Kulsar & McCarthy Lobby, playing and singing around our new Steinway grand piano. Finally, you serenaded faculty and classmates on your last day of school. May these new traditions that you initiated continue another 125 years, and when your daughters enroll in this school, you can tell them, “My class started that!”

As you begin your journey into the next phase of young adulthood here are a few questions to ponder: How has this experience transformed me? How has this community impacted my formation as a young woman entering the world with all the gifts and attributes that I was born with? How have I created community?

Your participation and your presence connect you to a global sisterhood of Ursuline alumnae. The experiences and rewards of being a part of The Ursuline Community connect the past to the present. Know you are equipped to move forward, take chances, and try new experiences. You have been seen, recognized, and will forever be loved by all of us here at The Ursuline School.

May God bless you and may you never forget that Ursuline is your home. I pray that St. Angela watches over you all your days and that St. Ursula protects your future.

Parents, families, graduates, in the words of the esteemed philosopher - Taylor Swift: “I don’t know about you but I’m feeling 22.” And I’m sure that on this exceptional day, when we are all so proud of these graduates, “Everything will be alright if we just keep dancing like we’re 22!” Congratulations to the Class of 2022!