PROVIDENCE – Valedictorian Bethany Biszko arrived at St. Mary Academy-Bay View in the Fall of 2007 without knowing a single soul in her class.
Now, she says, she knows one hundred and thirty-six of the most beautiful, intelligent, humorous, and genuine women on earth—women who have each stayed true to themselves and to the values of a Bay View education.
During the 135th commencement of the Riverside school, young women from across the state embraced the celebration of their achievements at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul.
Whether on the stage, in the science lab, or on the athletic fields, the graduates have developed diverse talents throughout their time at Bay View, said Biszko.
“We’ve honed our characters and our sense of responsibility as citizens of the world,” she said. “The families, friends, faculty, and staff who are gathered here tonight will all agree with me when I say that the world needs our positive attitudes, willingness to work hard, and integrity now more than ever. The world needs the Bay View Angels.”
Salutatorian Nicole Sadaniantz said that she could not imagine a greater legacy to leave the Bay View community than that of laughter, as it contains all the listening, living, and loving they will ever find.
“I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for empowering me to embrace the majesty of this marvel,” said Sadaniantz. “It matters not how far from each other we may be; even if we never meet again, I now shall always carry a piece of your love with me to share with whomever I may encounter. Deep in my heart is stored this dear collection of memories like newspaper clippings, four years of wonder and awe preserved for all time.”
Maggie Rakovic, who will be attending Connecticut College this fall to study economics and sociology, said that she feels prepared to live out the Mercy Mission her school.
“I’m really excited,” she said moments before processing into the ceremony. “Once I am graduated, I will be a lady and a leader.”
Samantha Miga who will be studying marketing at Providence College said that she feels that Bay View prepared her for her future.
“Bay View made us confident in our skills and ready to take on the world.”
Principal Colleen Gribbin said that every member of the class of 2011 remains remarkable, individually and collectively.
“They are the women of substance and women of impact who will change the world for the better,” she said. “They are outstanding examples of the mission of Bay View. They are prepared, talented, spirited, smart, organized and ready for the next chapter of their lives. We are proud of each of them and look forward to monitoring their future success.”
Amidst the sea of white caps and gowns and surrounded by the voices of the Bay View Chorale, under the direction of Christine Kavanagh and Diane Gualtieri, the class of 2011 represents some of the best and brightest young women in the region. According to the school, the members of the Class of 2011 have amassed a total of $6,556,400 in scholarship awards, as well as acceptances to the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning. Fifty percent of the prestigious Georgetown University’s Rhode Island acceptances are Bay View women. Members of this year’s class will be heading off to Brown, Yale, and the University of Rhode Island to name only a few.
Betty Ferreira, of Warren, explained that her daughter, graduate Courtney Ferreira, has been at Bay View since kindergarten. Despite making many sacrifices over the years, the proud mother has no regrets.
“I am so happy with the education,” she said. “I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.”
As the young women were sent on their way, Biszko shared how extremely honored she feels to count herself as their fellow classmate and friend.
“I wish each and every one of you the best of luck in the coming year, and I will always have a special place in my heart for the angels of the Class of 2011,” she shared. “I know that this is only the beginning of our success story, and I can’t wait to see how it ends.”
CLASS OF 2011
Christine Abram
Dawn Adamo
Kareena Allard
Amanda Almonte
Sarah Anderson
Christine Antonelli
Christina Arcand
Jill Archer
Mary Asquith
Kelly Athaide
Caroline Azar
Victoria Babcock
Emily Barkan
Allison Beattie
Jennifer Bichun
Bethany Biszko
Liana Borts
Bryar Botelho
Allyson Boucher
Daria Braboy
Brianna Branch
Taylor Brazil
Victoria Briody
Alexa Brynes
Emily Buonaiuto
Paige Caffrey
Bianca Caprio
Sophia Carroll
Heesun Cha
Andrea Clark
Jasmine Clarke
Meghan Colucci
Anne Conley
Mariah Conte
Casey Cook
Stephanie Correia
Meredith Craine
Rebecca Curran
Antoinette Dahn
Sara D’Arpino
Sydney Day
Courtney DeFreitas
Ashley DiSegna
Bethany Douglas
Monique Drouillard
Nicole Duhaime
Taylor Faria
WenLi Fei
Helen Ferranti
Courtney Ferreira
Maritza Flores
Colleen Fonseca
Hannah Fox
Jaclyn Gagnon
Jeana Garcia
Mia Gemma
Vanessa Ghazarian
Amanda Grattan
Kelly Griffin
Stephany Harrington
Kelsey Hayward
Kelsey HItt
Ana Hoff
Melanie Horvat
Kathryn Hoyt
Bianca Iannitti
Margareth Jacques
Alquidamia Jimenez
Victoria Kacprzak
Marissa Kavanagh
Lauren Kriete
Morgan Lake
Melissa Landi
Meredith Laurienzo
Ashley Lavoie
Melissa Legault
Shilo Lemery
Adriana Lentrichia
Sierra Leroux
Jami Longo
Stephany Lopes
Lila Macari
Brittany Machado
Leah Mandeville
Jenna Mangiarelli
Lindsay Martin
Kaitlyn McKenna-Cournoyer
Samantha Miga
Angelica Muscatelli
Elias Nappa
Kelsey Nerone
Holly Omigie
Ebighe Omonkhegbe
Jennifer Ortiz
Jessica Ortiz
Victoria Parella
Frances Peirce
Hayley Pereira
Jennifer Pinto
Stephanie Plamondon
Sarah Pollock
Anastasia Procaccini
Alicia Quigley
Margaret Rakovic
Kayla Raspallo
Hailey Rebello
Elizabeth Reidy
Giana Rendine
Gabrielle Resendes
Jacqueline Roberti
Chelsea Robin
Katherine Rockwell
Domenique Rossi
Olivia Ryding
Nicole Sadaniantz
Whitney Sanchez
Lindsey Sanford
Melanie Schartner
Amanda Sherman
Monica Silvestre
Michelle Simeone
Kristen Solomon
Francis Stenberg
Vittoria Sylvester
Anna Syme
Paige Taylor
Jamie Tortolani
Anne Tresca
Sonya Trillo
Ashley Verduchi
Rebecca Watson
Marianne Weber
Emma Willis
Meghan Woodbine
Xiao Yu
Chandi Zeoli
