Twenty-eight students graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy in Rutland at the 132nd commencement June 7 at St. Peter Church.

Msgr. John McDermott, vicar general of the Diocese of Burlington, and MSJ Principal Sarah Fortier awarded diplomas to the graduates.

In her valedictory address, Victoria Tracy reminisced about good times at MSJ, thanked her family for their support and her teachers for their work and encouraged her classmates to do great things and change the world.

“Similar to many kids entering high school, I was searching for a place to belong. MSJ gave me that and so much more. To the teachers and faculty, thank you for challenging me to think further, work harder and dream bigger. Without you as my teachers, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have or what I will in the future. Thank you for the doors you have opened for me,” she said.

Fortier encouraged students to carry on the mission of MSJ long after they have left the Catholic high school. “This is my challenge to you: go out and live the mission. Use the gifts and talents that God has given you to contribute to a just world. Look to people in your life to help you stay focused on your journey like my father and best friend do.”

She called on them to trust in God: “He has a plan for each of you. When you are not sure what path to take ask Him. He will guide you in the right way. He knows you better than you know yourself. and He will always be there for you.”

Salutatorian Kristen Elliott reminded students that failure can lead to greater success.

“Failures in life are not the end, they are merely an obstacle in the road that must be overcome in order to reach the result we desire. A goal we have reached with ease is nowhere near as satisfactory as a goal we have reached by overcoming challenges, by facing conflict head on, by embracing the unknown. We must acknowledge our limitations but remember that they do not confine us,” he said.

Mary Babb received the Veritas et Puritas Award, recognizing outstanding character and service to others.

Mount St. Joseph Class of 2019

David Jonathan Alexandre

Mary Margaret Babb

Mahalia Claire Bijou

Paola Andy Bruno

Leonardo Guillermo Carranza

Rory Belle Carrara

Kristen Elizabeth Elliott

Logan Ashley Fuller

Ben Shemaya Geneus

Abigail Jane Hanley

Syeda Fatima Zahra Hussnane

Hitoshi Kondo

Carly Nicole LaFlamme

Julia Kathleen Lee

William Li

Sophie Lynn Markowski

Roahan Michael McGee

Logan Mario Montilla

Lucas Gregory Pencak

Rachele Maynaz Reicker

Antoine Harold Edouard Saint-Surin

Claude Michel Anthony Thebaud

Avery Gunnar Thurston

Victoria Ann Tracy

Steven Paul Wilson

Miraclelynn Wood

Elizabeth Marguerite Aldridge Wright

Keaton Richard Wright-Chapman