The class of 2018 joined the ranks of PMA Alumni on Friday, May 25, at the 57th PMA Commencement Ceremony.  

Gregory Blomgren, '18 opened the ceremony by singing the Star Spangled Banner followed by prayer from fellow graduates, Abraham Collazo, Student Council President and Shakira Henriquez, Class President.  

The ceremony flowed smoothly with excitement and ease as the graduates received their diplomas, scholarships and awards, while many were surprised by class awards from their teachers.  Speeches were delivered by the top three graduates, as well as the Commencement Speaker, Donna Parker, Head of Guidance. 

Salutatorian, Jamie LoConte, began her speech describing how high school "is a lot like toilet paper...you don't know how much you will miss it until it is gone."   She also praised her parents and teachers for the support and direction they offered over the past four years.

Simon Rodriguez, Honor Essayist, delivered a heart felt speech citing how the class was very diverse and didn't fit into one category and how that was a strength of the class.  He also claimed how the PMA Discover You tagline is real and he is living proof.   Over the past four years, PMA has helped develop him into the person he is today. 

Guidance Director, Donna Parker, shared words of wisdom to the class as the Commencement Speaker.  She spoke fondly of memories of the class and shared words written by the teachers to the class.

Brianna Geck, Valedictorian, closed the ceremony instructing the class that they will be packing literal and figurative suitcases in the near future.  As they pack for college, pack one full of memories of PMA.

The Class of 2018 applied to over 380 colleges and universities, with all 55 students moving on to some form of higher education.

 Congratulations Class of 2018!

Top Three (L-R) : Simon Rodriguez, Honor Essayist; Brianna Geck, Valedictorian; Jamie LoConte, Salutatorian

The Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Schools Office, with support from the Catholic Schools Foundation, chose PMA's Theology teacher Jane Richard as one of the first recipients of the prestigious Archdiocese of Boston Excellence in Education Award. 

This award honors elementary and secondary school teachers' commitment to developing saints and scholars in the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Boston. 

Mrs.Richard, along with the 9 other winners, were honored at a luncheon on May 8, with Cardinal Seán O'Malley and Superintendent of the Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Schools Kathy Mears.

Click below to read the Lawrence Eagle Tribune's story about Mrs. Richard and her award.

 

Photo by Amanda Sabga/Lawrence Eagle Tribune

  

On Wednesday, May 30, PMA students and staff gathered for a ceremony to bless the
 new American flag that will adorn the renovated foyer. 

 

Memorial Day was a perfect time for this blessing because the American Flag  represents our nation's freedom and all those who have died to protect  those freedoms. The names of family members who served in the military and who have passed, were remembered.

Brittney Savage, '19, sang the National Anthem, Nathalie Garcia, '19, read a prayer  and Campus Minister, Francis Stanton, blessed the new flag.

Junior Brady Quinn reminded everyone that the American flag symbolizes what we have lost and the freedoms we hold dear.

   

  

On Tuesday, May 1, seven PMA students honored the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker by spending the afternoon volunteering at Lazarus House in Lawrence for a little spring cleaning.  The students included Seniors, Darlenn Castro, Arthur Jia, and Stephanie Maldonado along with Juniors, Arianna Desharnais and Naomi Gonzalez and lastly Freshmen, Connie Chong and Lisselotte Vargas.

Zoe Henderson with her mother at the state competition.

Zoe Henderson, '18 won second place in the final rounds of the Lions Club State Speech Contest. 

Speaking about her volunteering experience at Camp Sunshine, Zoe placed in the Club Zone competition in February and has won each competition since, from Region to District, qualifying her for the state competition in early May.  

Per the Lions Club website:

"During each school year, we have approximately 400 students from across the state participate in our competition... District competition typically 5 regions one qualifier per district State competition 5 districts one winner."

To have the stamina to compete in several rounds of competitions and to deliver a speech with such passion and enthusiasm to win second place out of 400 students is an outstanding accomplishment.  Congratulations, Zoe on being an inspiration and for this remarkable achievement.

Congratulations to the class of 2018 as they were officially welcomed into the PMA Alumni Council at the Alumni Breakfast on Thursday, May 24. 

A special congratulations to Zoe Henderson, '18  th e 2018 PMA Alu mni Scholarship recipient.  

A warm thank you to Sarah Saurman, '11 for being the guest speaker and sharing her words of wisdom with the graduates.

              

Sarah Saurman, '11 delivering her speech to the class of 2018

Zoe Henderson, '18 with Paula Mansor-Laliberte, '82,  Alumni Associate