St. Mary Academy - Bay View Graduation 2018

PROVIDENCE — On the evening of Monday, June 4, 104 members of St. Mary Academy - Bay View Class of 2018 donned white robes, gloves and caps, and received their diplomas at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence. This marks the 142nd commencement ceremony since the academy opened in 1874.

In her address, Sister Marybeth Beretta, RSM, academy president, asked graduates to reflect and ask themselves, “what will you do with your moment in history… the one you have been trusted with by God?”

“My suggestion is that you look at life through the lens of the mercy values that are the foundation of the education you received at St. Mary Academy – Bay View. My hope is that you define [your education] as one that not only prepared you academically, but also fostered in you the Mercy values of compassion, justice, social responsibility, civic-mindedness and integrity — that your education planted seeds in you capable of changing the world, if you continue to water them. [...] Take your place as women who speak with a voice of compassion and concern for others, who are moved to action to address and heal the inequities in our society.”

In her commencement address Valedictorian Isabella Lanna encouraged graduates to keep the class spirit alive no matter where they go.

“I’d like to turn your attention to the idea of the year 2068, when it will be the 50 year anniversary of our graduation. It is my hope that in 50 years, we will be back here at Bay View. Not only speaking and catching up about each other’s careers or accomplishments, but talking about our families, our children, maybe grandchildren even. About how what we learned here made us better friends, better sisters, and better daughters. And most of all, I hope we talk of how St. Mary Academy - Bay View has changed us and been a part of us, as I know it will be, for the rest of our lives.”