PROVIDENCE — The 130 members of The Prout School Class of 2017 entered the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul to the proud sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance,” beginning their school’s 49th annual commencement ceremony on Tuesday, June 13.
Chaplain Father Joseph Upton offered the invocation, and graduating members of the choir led their classmates in “The Star Spangled Banner” under the direction of Music Director Philip Faraone. Salutatorian Julia Tetreault of West Greenwich addressed the class, speaking to her classmates on the power of hope, personal character and the support of family and friends in overcoming challenges.
“Faith alongside hope can be very powerful,” she said. “If you find yourself in a rough patch, you should try to have hope and know that tomorrow can be better than today.”
Auxiliary Bishop Robert C. Evans presented diplomas to the graduates, while Senior Class President Kailey Smith led her peers in the traditional tassel ceremony. Following the presentation of diplomas, Valedictorian Emily Shepard, a Richmond resident and parishioner at Christ the King Church, Kingston, addressed the class.
“What better class is there to go out in the world and show a healthy sense of creativity than ours?” she said. “Make a name for yourself, excel in your field and keep growing in imagination and creativity.”
Principal David Estes concluded the ceremony by awarding the school’s highest honors, presenting the Crusader Award to Jacob and Jared Covell and the Elizabeth Prout Award to Gabrielle Bianco.
