Cougar Courier: Baccalaureate Liturgy and Commencement Edition
May 19th, 2023
BACCALAUREATE LITURGY AND COMMENCEMENT FOR THE CLASS OF 2023
Austin Prep celebrated the Baccalaureate Liturgy and Commencement for the Class of 2023 today, Friday, May 19th on Father Seymour Field. Friends, family, faculty, staff, Austin Prep Board of Trustees and graduates came together for Mass and the conferring of diplomas for members of the Class of 2023. A full program for the Baccalaureate Liturgy can be found here.
Celebrant Most Rev. Arthur L. Kennedy, Ph.D., Retired Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, gave great insight into the development of a young St. Augustine, detailing three major conversions in his life: one intellectual, one religious, and one moral. In doing so, Bishop Kennedy affirmed for the graduates the great Augustinian tradition in which they have been trained while at Austin Prep. "But this experience is not over yet, " Bishop Kennedy said. "This is just one stage in the Journey."
Caroline Kelly, Class of 2023 Salutatorian, addressed the wide array of opportunities she was presented while at Austin Prep, specifically opportunities that came about unknowingly or as a result of adversity. Caroline referenced the new friends she made as a result of her COVID-19 related academic cohort (members of the Class of 2023 were freshman in March of 2020), and Austin Prep's flexibility surrounding the Senior Class trip to Disney World, which allowed her to both win a NEPSAC Championship in cross country and visit Disney with classmates. "Our Austin Prep journey has been full of trial and error, but has led us to a better understanding of ourselves. Whatever path you chose, Austin Prep allowed all of us to find our passions," Caroline said.
Class of 2023 Valedictorian, Olivia Ferri, reflected not only on the legacy that will be left behind by the Class of 2023, but also how that legacy has helped provide the tools of intelligence, leadership, integrity, and compassion for the class as they move on in their Journey. "As we step out of the classroom and into the world, I hope your choices are coupled with introspection, your brilliance with comedy, your accomplishment with humility, and your warmth with sincerity. I hope you consider how you choose to sow the seeds of your life and foster their growth. And most importantly, I hope you remember your classmates at Austin Prep, the years you gave to them, and the years they gave back to you," Olivia said.
While addressing the graduates, James Hickey, Ph.D. P’22, ’23, ’24, '27, in his tenth year as Head of School at Austin Prep, pondered the question "how can we end polarization?" But he did so through two seemingly different and conflicting lenses: the Augustinian hearts developed in Austin Prep graduates to help guide, inspire, and give courage on the Journey ahead, and ChatGPT, the natural language processing tool driven by AI technology that allows you to have human-like conversations and much more with a chatbot. The ChatGPT response to ending polarization was Augustinian in nature, emphasizing unity, shared purpose, humility, love, respect, and belonging. "It occurred to me that 21st century ChatGPT could be a direct descendent of 4th century Augustine," Dr. Hickey said. "Essentially, 1,600 years ago St. Augustine offered some timeless advice, and that advice which is applicable to the challenges of 2023, was picked up by AI."
"Artificial intelligence, however, will not stop wars between nations, it will not stamp out bigotry and intolerance, it will not promote unconditional love, or solve the societal challenges that just seem to be multiplying," Dr. Hickey added. "What will make the world better is the human intelligence of an Augustinian Heart and with your Austin Prep diploma in hand, you leave here today and begin the next part of your Journey – with an Augustinian heart. And the world needs more Augustinian Hearts out there."
The event included remarks from Board of Trustees Chair, Mr. Daniel Bouchard, P’10, ’14, ’15, who expressed admiration for the Class of 2023 for the wisdom and growth class members attained as a result of the persistent change, adjustment, and expansion experienced during the Austin Prep Journey. Mr. Bouchard also referenced the impact of the Austin Prep experience on his own children, all three who have since graduated from college and are pursuing their professional lives. " I remain extraordinarily grateful for all that Austin Prep did to prepare them for college and life beyond," Mr. Bouchard said. "When they graduated, they may not have fully understood the real gift of the education they received. But as young professionals, they now see the importance of the indispensable values of service and citizenship. They now appreciate that the fullest life involves a commitment to act for the benefit of other people."
Mr. Bouchard also noted that the Class of 2023 has been collectively awarded more than $31 million in scholarships to some of the top colleges and universities in the United States.
Following that, to commemorate the ten-year anniversary of Dr. Hickey's tenure as Head of School, Mr. Bouchard announced on behalf of the Board of Trustees the commissioning of a new award, The Dr. James Hickey Leadership Award. This award will be presented annually to a student who best exemplifies Dr. Hickey’s qualities of integrity, leadership, and service before self. The award will honor a graduating senior who exemplified an untiring commitment to mission – to veritas, unitas, and caritas — and who has had a significant impact on the Austin Prep community. The first Dr. James Hickey Leadership Award was presented to Jaclyn Brand '23.
Baccalaureate Liturgy Livestream
The Baccalaureate Liturgy and Commencement was live streamed for those who could not attend, and we are grateful to all those who were able to attend remotely. The ceremony can be viewed in its entirety by clicking the button below. The procession begins at about the 1:01 mark. Please forward this to family and friends!
Baccalaureate Liturgy Livestream
Baccalaureate Liturgy and Commencement Photos
Photos from the Baccalaureate Liturgy and Commencement can be viewed by clicking here. Check back soon as more photos will be added!
Class of 2023 Banner Lowered
At the end of Friday's Baccalaureate Liturgy and Commencement for the Class of 2023, Senior Class officers continued with the tradition of lowering the Class banner. The banner is raised during Convocation to start each academic year.
SENIOR AND ACADEMIC AWARDS
Olivia Ferri ’23
VALEDICTORIAN
THE CHARLES & HELEN MCLAUGHLIN P'67 AWARD
THE MEDAL FOR PERFORMING ARTS
Caroline Kelly ’23
SALUTATORIAN
Jacklyn Brand '23
THE DR. HICKEY LEADERSHIP AWARD
Lily O'Neill '23
THE REV. DR. JOSEPH W. WILKES, III ‘71, P'08, '10 AWARD
Denley Cushing '23
WILLIAM J. HICKEY, JR. MEMORIAL AWARD FOR GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP
Dominic Gabardi '23
WILLIAM J. HICKEY, JR. MEMORIAL AWARD FOR GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP
Calvin Pardee VI '23
CHARLES L. LUCIANO MEMORIAL AWARD FOR UNSUNG STUDENT LOYALTY
Thomas Hayes '22
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD
Alyssa Mangino '23
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD
Sebastian Guerra '23
THE MEDAL FOR THEOLOGY
Sommer Bianchi '23
THE MEDAL FOR ENGLISH
Katherine Berlin '23
THE MEDAL FOR HISTORY
Ayla Urquizo '23
THE MEDAL FOR ECONOMICS
Valeria Centinaro '23
THE MEDAL FOR SOCIAL STUDIES
Christian Alfieri '23
THE MEDAL FOR MATHEMATICS
Alyssa Joseph '23
THE MEDAL FOR BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE
THE MEDAL FOR FRENCH
Michelle Laferriere '23
THE MEDAL FOR PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Sofia Senn '23
THE MEDAL FOR LATIN
THE MEDAL FOR PERFORMING ARTS
Riley O'Connor '23
THE MEDAL FOR SPANISH
Elizabeth Urick '23
THE MEDAL FOR MANDARIN
Nora Lafferty '23
THE MEDAL FOR VISUAL ARTS
Kate Beckel ’23
THE MEDAL FOR PERFORMING ARTS
THE CLASS OF 2023
Casey Marie Ahlin *
Christian Alfieri + *
Matthew Joseph Ardito +
Madison Barbieri + *
Madelyn Barry
Luke Bartley
Kate Trudeau Beckel + *
Katherine Grace Berlin
Sommer Laurel Bianchi *
Nathaniel Bibeault
Nicholas David Blessing
Claire Noelle Boulanger
Jaclyn Rose Brand + *
Jonathan Chase Brand + *
Donald Robert Bresette Jr.
Chloe June Buonopane + *
Kendall Denise Burke
Sasha Cate Callaway + *
Olivia Eleanor Cann
Griffin T. Carr
Paloma Mariel Carter + *
Samantha Marie Cecchini + *
Valeria Maria Centinaro + *
Mckenzie Cerrato
Bhoomika Chopra
Harrison Wilkins Clarke
Eliana Marie DiRado Cohn
Ava Colella *
Daniel Christopher Cory *
Trevor David Coughlin *
Emily Donna Croteau
Emily Grace Crowley
Jared Joseph Cruz +
Fiona Christian Cullen + *
Denley Rose Cushing *
Nathan Michael DeRoche
Ashley DiBella +
Sophia Elizabeth DiNanno *
Nicholas Thomas Donahue
John Patrick Dugan
Julia Ribeiro Esler
Grace Mary Ferretti + *
Olivia Rose Ferri + *
Dario Jameson Filadoro
Sophia Claire Finocchio + *
Ryan William Fiore
Giavana Star Franco
Dominic Michael Gabardi *
Caitlin Claire Gagne
Connor Andrew Gagne
Marissa Michele Gallozzi *
Marin Wenyu Garrison
Sophia Helena Gilchrist *
Ainsley Elizabeth Golini *
Serry J. Gouveia Jr.
Ava Marie Grasso
Taylor Ann Grohe + *
Chloe Anne Gryllakis + *
Sebastian Alexander Guerra
Rahul Kishan Gupta + *
Maxwell Hampoian
Nicholas William Paul Happeny *
Lillian Grace Harmon *
Thomas Robert Hayes +
Ryan James Hickey
Keira Holland
Henry John Jalbert +
Vashisht Jetly
Ruben John
Alyssa Liana Joseph + *
Roger Stark Kelesoglu
Caroline Anne Kelly + *
Alexandra Marie Kennedy + *
Morginn D. Kotchian
Simona Milica Kovacev +
Michelle Renee Laferriere + *
Cali Anne Lafferty
Nora Rose Lafferty
Jansen Quinn Landen
Alexis LaVallee
Charles Xavier Little
Keira Bridget Loporchio
Jon Gerald Loyack
Alyssa Madelyn Mangino + *
Jessica Dardeno Marks + *
Erin Margaret Marquardt
Lydia Arden May-Broyles
Caitlin Nicole McCraw *
Robert Thomas McDonald
Delaney Kristin McNinch
Caroline Anne Melanson *
Tristan Knowlton Miller
Mckenzie S. Morris
Riley Elizabeth O’Connor + *
Lily Danielle O’Neill *
Alyssa Mae Pacheco + *
Calvin Pardee VI
Hailey Joan Payne + *
Alison Eileen Perault + *
Sydney Rose Pilla + *
Andrea Pino-Portillo
Lee Donald Poulin
Emily Renee Prince *
Phillip L.A. Renzullo
Emma Grace Riordan
Rohan Saini *
Emily Amelia Schena +
Sofia Margaret Senn +
Anjali Isabella Serrano + *
Lily Mae Seville + *
Chirag Mitesh Shah
Clara Emile Siewert
Emma Kathryn Simpson
Sara Louise Simpson + *
Samantha Jaye Smith + *
Emily Michelle Sousa + *
Alexander Stewart
Braydon Francis Sullivan
Neave Maria Sullivan
Nicole Surabian
Sophia Kathryn Taylor *
Isabella Anita Tenreiro
Drew Thibodeau
Nicole Lauren Tracy
Theodore Robert Trant *
Hellena Trojer + *
Elizabeth Grace Urick *
Ayla C. Urquizo + *
ZiMing Wang
Hunter Scott Weldon
Jillian Grayce Whitney
Megan Elizabeth Wilcox
Lucas Edmund Williams
Xinru Xie *
Xian Yikun
Xinyi Zou