PROVIDENCE — In their white caps, gowns and gloves, the 110 young ladies of St. Mary Academy – Bay View participated in the 141th commencement celebrations at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, on Monday, June 5.
Bay View Interim President Barbara Haynes called on the Class of 2017 “to take great care of yourself, be grateful for the blessings in your life, be merciful and just, and with grace do all that you can to make the world a better place by loving one another, teaching, inventing, engineering, defending, protecting, creating, and always living Mercy.” She closed her remarks by sharing the words of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, “May God bless and protect you and make you the instrument of His glory.”
Tiffany Brooks was awarded the most prestigious honor given by Bay View to a graduating senior, the Catherine McAuley Woman of the Year Award. The award is named after the founder of the Sisters of Mercy and is described as a woman of singular character and impeccable integrity who leaves an indelible imprint on the fabric of the Bay View community.
In her commencement address Valedictorian Jessica McDonald shared her admiration for her classmates who walked beside her throughout her high school career as well as her gratitude to all who supported them along the way.
“I’ve never met so many talented and hardworking individuals. I am standing before award winning artists, record breaking athletes, nationally acclaimed intellectuals and show stopping performers,” she said. “We are graduating now and it’s time to step out of bubble. The world is waiting on us, the world needs us. Thank you to everyone who has made our journey through Bay View possible. We could not have grown into the young women we are without the guidance of our family, parents and teachers.”
