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EAST PROVIDENCE — St. Mary Academy – Bay View, a leader in all-girl education since 1874, proudly graduated 87 members of the Class of 2020 on Sunday, June 7 in a ceremony as unprecedented as the end of the school year itself.
The ceremony took place on campus with families arriving — and staying in their cars throughout the ceremony. Despite the unusual conditions, Bay View graduates were undaunted in their enthusiasm and shared pride about all they accomplished.
“Our graduates demonstrated unusual maturity and resilience while planning alternative graduation traditions. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to celebrate them at this ceremony” noted Colleen Gribbin, principal of the Upper School.
In keeping with tradition, the graduation began with an invocation from Cecilia Bianchi (North Kingstown), President of Peer Ministry. Valedictory addresses were offered by Nicole Baalbaki (Pawtucket) and Ishita Rai (Warwick).
Baalbaki has been an active member of the community as a member of the Environmental Club, Mercy Action, Peer Ministry, Math Team, Model UN and Student Council. Her awards include Science. Spanish and English National Honor Society, Wellesley College Book Award, Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award, Excellence in Mathematics and the Natural Sciences, Mu Alpha Theta. She will be attending the University of Michigan this fall.
Her address included words of gratitude including, “Bay View has given us the tools needed to be strong, independent women, but we are different from most people because of our Mercy background. We are able to recognize injustice, to be compassionate, and to live our faith.”
Rai has also been an involved member of her class. She served on the Student Council every year of high school, founded the Vision Club, and was a member of the Math Team and Ambassador’s Club. Rai was published as First Author in the medical journal Surgical Infections. Her awards are highlighted by being one of 161 students across the country to be named a US Presidential Scholar in addition to being a National Merit Finalist, the Harvard Book Award, Best in Fair RI Science and Engineering Fair, National Honor Society (President), Mu Alpha Theta member, Rho Kappa member. Rai will be pursuing her studies at Boston University in the fall. She was also awarded the most prestigious honor given by Bay View to a graduating senior: The Catherine McAuley Woman of the Year Award, a title named after the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy.
Rai’s remarks reminded her class of their potential, “Each and every one of us has the potential to achieve greatness. Bay View’s Class of 2020 will not be remembered for our grades, or popularity. Rather, we will be remembered for our unequaled spirit, our resilience and positive outlook during these unpredictable times, and, most importantly, for how we make people feel.”
Bay View President, Sister Marybeth Beretta offered her remarks and reflections, “What inspires me about our Mercy community is that we meet our most demanding moments with courage, resolve, and a selfless concern for others. I’m so proud of the countless ways that our graduating class has responded to the Covid-19 crisis by rising to every challenge and accepting every disappointment with resilience and grace. Their many talents, undaunted spirit, and sense of responsibility give me great confidence for the future of a world that needs the conviction and compassion of students grounded in Mercy values.”
Every graduate has been accepted and plans to attend college this fall. Their accomplishments are reflective of the academy’s attention to the development of their character, academics, arts, and athletics as part of its programming. The fullness of their achievement will bring them to prestigious institutions of higher education. This year’s class earned a total $14,223,004 in merit scholarships for colleges and universities (for four years).
The following list represents St. Mary Academy - Bay View’s Class of 2020, including the academic and character awards bestowed to them. Membership in the Rhode Island Society and the National Honor Society is also included.
THE CLASS OF 2020 BY CITY AND STATE
+ National Honor Society
* Rhode Island Honor Society
MASSACHUSETTS:
Attleboro
Sophia Lynne Martin *
North Attleboro
Meredith Elaine Bourque +*
Rehoboth
Isabel Alho Cruz
Juliana Maria Goncalves *
Gabriella Sofia Moreira +*
Seekonk
Melina Lynn Cabral +*
Elise Angeline Dezotell +*
Katie Elizabeth Kane *
Zoha Muqudas
Daniella Olivares
Swansea
Julia Lisa Smith
RHODE ISLAND:
Barrington
Caitlin Ann Cummings *
Kyliegh Laurel Souza +*
Bristol
Zoë Neve Ferreira
Ciara Amy Morency *
Elizabeth Margaret Morris +*
Emma Jane Simas
Chepachet
Isabella Marie DiSalvo +*
Coventry
Hunter Lyn Grenier *
Isabelle Lynn Palmisano *
Cranston
Emma Rose Broomfield
Sofia Alicia Burdiel
Jenna Noel Cassiere +*
Lauren Elizabeth Cerullo *
Olivia Amelia DaCosta *
Sofia Ana DiGregorio *
Lauren Grace Dohoney +*
Melany Flory Guzmán *
Tiffany Grace McLoughlin +*
Caroline Emily Michaud *
Ava Marie Rabiner
Xiaohan Ren
Gianna Kristen Spremullo *
Shafali Sabina Verma *
Xici Wang
Madelyn Elizabeth Weir +*
East Greenwich
Victoria Rose LeBlanc *
East Providence
Rachel Celestina Bettencourt *
Johnston
Lauren Alexandra DiSanto +* Sister Maureen McElroy Award
Kinzie Spotswood Fairman *
Ryleigh Mills Fortin +*
Teraesa Catherine Handren *
Ashley Nicole Mariani +*
Jessica Diane Pezzullo +*
Megan Joyce Ranucci *
Lincoln
Justice Julesa A’Vant *
Lisa Romina Ortiz
North Kingstown
Cecilia Marie Bianchi +* Sister Marlene Laliberte Award
Elayna Marie Jaques *
North Providence
Sophia Marie Fraioli
Sokhna-Binta Gueye +* Sister Mary Edward Walsh Award
Natalie Ann Karneeb *
Hanna Belle Morrissette-Drowne *
North Scituate
Rylee Blair Marin
Elizabeth Renee Yi-Ying Ng *
Pawtucket
Nicole Mary Baalbaki +*
Die Hu
Chloe Joella Ruhan *
Providence
Shuhan Chen
Jessenia Lee Collazo *
Katherine Ellen Keating *
Kasandra Rosely Kue-Rojas +* Sister Mary Bernard McCann Award
Caitlyn Paige McCarthy *
Kristine Elizabeth Moore *
Berlinessa Vargas
Shengning Xu
Riverside
Emily Anne Conley +*
Amy Angelina Hurst *
Cassandra Kelly Warr *
Rumford
Kinzie Spotswood Fairman *
Sihan Yang
Saunderstown
Brooke Ann Mattos +*
Smithfield
Haley Nicole Clement *
Tiverton
Catherine Molly Jones +*
Rebecca Marie Vaillancourt *
Warwick
Alexandra Lillian Buffi *
Theresa Mary Der Manouelian +*
Isabella Coletta Kopech +*
Kayla Marie Leandre
Paige Lowney Maloney * Mother Frances Xavier Warde Women of Courage Award
Grace Marie Pelletier *
Ishita Rai
Mackenzie Anne Rowlands *
Tiffany Amber Smith *
Elliana Jillian Spagnolo +*
Sandy Zhou
West Warwick
Natalia Anise Chantharangsy *
Hunter Elizabeth Grace *
