News Detail

La Salle Academy Class of 2011 Graduates!

Neither rain nor wind nor lightning could keep the La Salle Academy Class of 2011 from its graduation appointment.  The 337 seniors were led into the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul by Ryan M. Sweeney and Amanda M. Morgan -- two of their ranks who were chosen to give the Welcome Address and the Student Address.

Joining the student procession were The Most Reverend Robert C. Evans, D.D., J.C.L., La Salle Academy President Brother Michael Mc Kenery, La Salle Academy Principal Donald J. Kavanagh, La Salle Academy Chaplain Reverend Michael Najim, La Salle Academy Board of Regens member Dr. Wanda S. Ingram, Ed.D., La Salle Academy Dean of Students Mrs. Wynter Kelly, La Salle Academy Vice Principal for Academics Mrs. Leanne Romani, members of the Class of 1961 and the La Salle Academy faculty and staff.

To see graduation photo gallery click here
Neither rain nor wind nor lightning could keep the La Salle Academy Class of 2011 from its graduation appointment.  The 337 seniors were led into the Catherdal of Saints Peter and Paul by Ryan M. Sweeney and Amanda M. Morgan -- two of their ranks who were chosen to give the Welcome Address and the Student Address.

Joining the student procession were The Most Reverend Robert C. Evans, D.D., J.C.L., La Salle Academy President Brother Michael Mc Kenery, La Salle Academy Principal Donald J. Kavanagh, La Salle Academy Chaplain Reverend Michael Najim, La Salle Academy Board of Regens member Dr. Wanda S. Ingram, Ed.D., La Salle Academy Dean of Students Mrs. Wynter Kelly, La Salle Academy Vice Principal for Academics Mrs. Leanne Romani, members of the Class of 1961 and the La Salle Academy faculty and staff.

Following the Invocation by Father Najim, senior Ryan Sweeney welcomed the crowd of parents, siblings and friends.
 
“Your Excellency Bishop Evans, Brother Michael, Mr. Kavanagh, Representatives of the Diocese and the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Members of the Board of Regents; Faculty, Alumni, Parents, Guests; and fellow members of the Graduating Class of 2011, welcome to our graduation,” said Sweeney.
 
“Engraved above the stone steps, in front of La Salle Academy, is the school motto. A motto that is oft forgotten, but nonetheless naturally lived out each and every day on our campus,” said the senior.  “Nemo adolescentiam tvam contemnat, translated from Latin as “Let no one look down on you because you are young.”  Initially, I am reminded of the graduation-cliche, the Seussian phrase ‘A person’s a person, no matter how small.’”
 
“Entering the Academy as freshmen, we were most definitely small people. Small in body, small in mind, and small in spirit.  We have changed. Over the past four years, we have grown as a result of many people, especially our caring parents, who have sacrificed to send us to one of the finest schools in Rhode Island,” he continued.  “Looking around, it is most evident that we have - physically - grown. We looked a lot different walking down that aisle at the Freshman liturgy - than we did walking down that same aisle twenty minutes ago. When we were Freshmen, none of us young men were familiar with Mrs. Kelly’s “shaving cream and razor” basket, and I believe that none of the young women had considered the notion of a skirt higher than ‘two inches above the knee.’”

To read Ryan's entire welcoming address click here

Following the Greeting by Dr. Ingram, senior Amanda Morgan gave the Student Address.
"Your Excellency, Bishop Evans; Brother Michael; Mr. Kavanagh; Representatives of the Diocese and the Brothers of the Christian Schools; members of the Board of Regents; Faculty; Alumni; Parents; Guests; And fellow members of the Graduating Class of 2011,
Saint John Baptist de La Salle once said, “God inspires us to walk in the footsteps of his Son," said Morgan.
 
"I truly believe the nurturing we have experienced over the last four years at La Salle Academy has prepared each of us to leave here today to walk in Christ’s footsteps, wherever we go, wherever our future takes us," she continued.  "The outreach projects in which we have participated, the religious education we have received, and the many acts of kindness we have shared at La Salle, have all inspired us to set forth on that path, the path of the Son of God. We have been motivated to keep the teachings of Jesus and the Catholic Church close to our hearts and to apply them in all situations due to the religious formation we have received at La Salle."
 
"Our experiences at La Salle Academy have taught us more than any textbook possibly could. The academic opportunities at La Salle have made us intelligent young adults, but more importantly it is the relationships we have formed and memories we now share that have made us the people we are today," coninued Amanda.  "Something that I have always cherished about La Salle is the strong sense of community we share. Whether it be a mission trip, a fundraiser, an athletic event, or a school play, a crowd of students is always eager to sign up, to help others, and to support their friends. This community spirit includes not only students but faculty members and administrators as well. We have been blessed with an opportunity to form meaningful relationships with teachers, coaches, directors, our chaplain, Father Najim and our dean, Mrs. Kelly, all of whom have made themselves and their guidance available to us whenever we needed them. It is the influence of these relationships and our parents, who have sacrificed so much for us, that have guided us and molded us to become who we are today."  To read the rest of Amanda's speech click here

Amanda was followed by La Salle President Brother Michael's address to the graduates.
"Your Excellency Bishop Robert Evans,   Members of the La Salle Academy Board of Regents, Friends and Colleagues of the Catholic Educational mission of La Salle Academy, Principal Donald Kavanagh, Faculty, Staff and Administration of La Salle Academy, Mrs. Wynter Kelly, Dean of the Class of 2011, Family and Friends of the graduates of the class of 2011, and the very special, wonderful and truly amazing young men and women of the class of 2011. Good evening," began Brother Michael.
 
"The past several days have been a whirlwind of activity and events all leading up to this very special evening both for you and your families. For me it is always a time to reflect on what’s important and what is not so important.  As I reflected on all that makes this evening so special, I also reflected on the sadness of those who attended the funeral this morning of Caitlyn Adler of the class of 2009 and realized just how fragile life’s journey is and how strong we need to be in our faith and the presence of God in our lives to navigate both the expected and the unexpected," said Brother.  "Life is not always a series of slow and easy pitches but it is more often a series of knuckleballs, and sliders and searing 95 mile an hour fast balls high and inside catching the corner of the plate. Yet even in tragedy there is a message about the beauty of life, a life well lived, a life that touched others and lived for the good. We remember Caitlyn Marie Adler this evening who sat where you sit this evening some two years ago. May she rest now in the peace of Christ."
 
"The life that you have experienced at La Salle Academy for the past four or six years has been the proclamation and the lived experience of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is at the heart and soul of what La Salle Academy is today and has been for the last 139 years," intoned the school president.  "Each of us faculty, staff and administration saw ourselves as ambassadors of Jesus Christ in your lives and the message that we attempted to write in your hearts each day was a message written by Jesus himself.  Each day we prayed together Live Jesus in our hearts - forever for that indeed is the rock upon which our school stands and lives it mission as a Catholic and Lasallian school."
"When I reflect about you as a class and the number of individuals that I was privileged to know well, I feel a great sense of pride and happiness  that in some small way I was a part of your experience at La Salle.  I celebrate this evening your many accomplishments both as individuals and as a class," continued the President.  "As a class I sense a somewhat magical connection among all of you. There is a kinetic and tangible energy that both unifies and defines you.  Special is indeed the word for both who you are and how you conducted yourselves."
 
"Earlier in the year, I was absent from the Academy for a brief time that seemed like eternity while  certain health issues in my life were addressed.  Frankly, I was not anxious to get back to La Salle to manage budgets, or address maintenance concerns or even to plan and complete the auditorium or figure out how to address outdoor athletic space issues. Although indeed all I mentioned are very important needs but the most important thing for all of us at La Salle is first and foremost always YOU.  That is what defines me as Brother, my life, my purpose is to be Brother to you. And because it is all about you, it became my resolution to be present to you to the best of my ability while not ignoring my other responsibilities," he continued.  "I decided to try to be at senior lunch as close to every day as possible.  I met and got to know many of you by addressing dress code issues. It was the easiest way of introduction – there were always such issues to be addressed, issues more honored in the breach than the observance.  More importantly for me I got to know and cherish so many of you through the theatre, through the cafeteria, through being present for as many athletic contests and activities as I could, and as I did so I realized quickly what one word described you best – SPECIAL!!!"
 
"We frequently say at La Salle Academy that your talents and abilities are God’s gift to you and what you do with those talents and abilities is your gift back to God.  Embrace what makes you special and use it for the good.  The gospel calls us to be the light of the world, not to hide our light under the bushel, - be that light to the world, proclaim the gospel values you learned at La Salle Academy and live life well with intelligence and most importantly, integrity.  We expect nothing less of you.  Each day of your life continue to remember that you live in the Holy Presence of God," Brother reminded the Class of 2011.
 
"If we had large and imposing gates around La Salle, I would lock them and tell you “DON”T GO” you are that special to us but if we truly love you and cherish you – then you must go – we must let you go and we do so with great pride in you and with great hope for you and for all that you will become and do with your life.  Sometimes we truly only come to appreciate an experience when it ends and perhaps the final lyrics of PIPPIN says it best for you and best for what I wish to say to you."
 
"I wanted magic shows and miracles
 
Mirages to touch
 
I wanted such a little thing from life
 
I wanted so much
 
I never came close my love
 
We nearly came near
 
It never was there
 
It always was here…
 
It was always here and always will be for you and as you move through the life that now awaits…"
 
"Allow me for just one more time and your parents who nurtured and loved you to just simply look at you and let you know how much we loved and appreciated you. You touched our lives. We hope that we touched yours for the good," concluded Brother Michael.
 
"May Jesus live in each of your hearts.  FOREVER!,"

The Honorary Graduation Marshalls were 1961 La Salle graduates Jerry Egan, Richard Larkin, Stanley Penkala, Kevin Regan and Frank Sullivan.

HONORS:

Excellence in Religious Studies
Awarded to:    Krista J. Hoffman
Next in Merit:  Sarah K Clinckemaillie

Excellence in Languages
Awarded to:    Sarah K. Clinckemaillie
Next in Merit:  Alexander H. Chen

Excellence in Mathematics
 Awarded to:   Sarah K. Clinckemaillie
Next in Merit:  Tracy F. DiPetrillo

Excellence in Science
Awarded to:    Gregory N. Gelzinis
Next in Merit:  Sarah K. Clinckemaillie

Excellence in English
Awarded to:     Krista J. Hoffman
Next in Merit:   Gregory N. Gelzinis

Excellence in Social Studies
Awarded to:    Gregory N. Gelsinis
Next in Merit:   Allison L. Smith

Excellence in Business
Awarded to:     Nicholas P. Calabro
Next in Merit:   Joseph P. McCabe

Excellence in Arts
Awarded to:     Peter M. Borges
Next in Merit:   Sahnnon R. Gately
 
 


Back
612 Academy Avenue, Providence, RI 02908  Phone: 401-351-7750
La Salle Academy is a high school rich in history and grounded in the person and teachings of Jesus and the Catholic faith, which are core to the school's life and culture. The De La Salle Middle School provides a strong holistic foundation for students to transition into high school. The high school and middle school provide students of diverse ethnic, economic, and religious backgrounds, a community to foster growth in the tradition of St. John Baptist de La Salle’s ideals of faith, service, and community.