Submitted by Notre Dame Academy
Notre Dame Academy celebrated its 166th Commencement on Friday awarding diplomas to the 98 members of the Class of 2019. Special recognition was given to valedictorian Katherine Donahue Carroll of Hingham, who is heading to Georgetown University in the fall and salutatorian Marguerite Baron of Scituate who will attend Brown University. Kelly Morrissey of Canton, who will attend Northeastern University, was presented with the St. Julie Award for most epitomizing the values of NDA’s patron saint, Saint Julie Billiart, in her everyday life. Additionally, Madison Gillan of Pembroke was given a certificate of appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.
The student address was given by Caroline Coates of Scituate. She likened her classmates to a chorus urging them to use their voices for change, “The world is filled with lots of noise. There is so much hatred, violence and fear. Change that noise into music. Change the world with your voice and make it a better place.” In the meantime she says, know that, “No one gets cut from the NDA chorus. . . I can assure you that your NDA community will always be there humming along.” The power of the NDA community and the theme of self-expression were echoed by commencement speaker, Erin McDonough, a graduate of the class of 1982. McDonough, Senior Vice President, Strategic Communication and Chief Communication Officer at Brigham and Women's Hospital, explained that Notre Dame gave her the foundation and the friendships that have enabled her to face any challenge. She told the girls that she values facing problems by speaking up, “your ability to express yourself—to articulate your emotions, desires, ideas and opinions—is one of the keys to happiness and success. Difficult conversations are part of life and relationships . . . but they should always be handled thoughtfully, with kindness and compassion.” McDonough and Coates worked in tandem to impart the idea that resiliency ultimately comes from passion, from community and from authenticity.
Graduation celebrations officially began Thursday evening (May 16) with the Baccalaureate when each soon-to-be-graduate was presented her medallion by her alumnae sponsor – sisters, mothers, family members, friends or beloved faculty members. Alumnae of Notre Dame academies around the world recognize the medallion as a symbol of a graduate of a school sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
As the first all-girls Catholic day school in New England, Notre Dame Academy has been delivering a unique student experience based on the teachings of the founders, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, since 1853. Their mandate "to educate women and equip students with whatever is necessary for life" is evident today on the Hingham campus, home to over 450 students in grades 7-12.