Our Lady of Mercy School held its graduation ceremony for 25 eighth graders on Friday, June 6, at OLM Church. Students processed into "Pomp and Circumstance" and heard readings from scripture before the Graduate reflection, which was delivered by Student Council President Lola Berube. In her speech to her classmates, which referenced Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Lola remarked, “Our OLM journey shows us there is a time to seek to grow our knowledge, to seek to grow our faith, and to seek to explore.” She continued, “Thanks to our formation at OLM, in strengthening our minds and seeking to be virtuous in the eyes of God, we are better friends, students, and children of God.”
Students then had a chance to present roses to their parents as a symbol of appreciation for their dedication and sacrifice in sending them to OLM, while honoring the school’s patron, Our Lady of Mercy. After an address by Principal Patrick McNabb, OLM Pastor Father Bernard Healey distributed diplomas, accompanied by eighth-grade teacher Kathleen Kerrin.
In addition to the traditional caps and gowns, each student was wearing a commemorative OLM School Medal, which was presented to them on Sunday, June 1, as the class celebrated Mass with the parish community. Following the Mass, the graduates and their families gathered at Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown for an awards luncheon. There, students were honored for academic excellence in all subjects as well as Christian Values and the Sister Jeanne M. Barry R.S.M Circle of Mercy Award for dedication to the school’s mission.
Of the 25 graduates, 21 will be attending Catholic High Schools, including 13 who will be attending The Prout School. Three will attend each from LaSalle Academy and Bishop Hendricken. One student each will attend Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope in Warwick and Marianapolis Preparatory School. The remaining students will attend Moses Brown, North Kingstown H.S. (2) and Scituate H.S. A very high-performing class, 17 were awarded Presidential Medals for Academic Excellence with nine earning Gold Medals - awarded to students who achieved a 95% overall average for each middle school year and eight Receiving Silver - awarded to students who achieved a 90% overall average for each middle school year.
With a tradition of excellence in Catholic education since 1951, Our Lady of Mercy School supports its students as they strive to be the saints and scholars that God is calling them to be. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Pre-K through Grade 8, co-educational Catholic school located in East Greenwich, RI, offers its students the opportunity to pursue excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts in a nurturing environment built upon the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Our Lady of Mercy School
Class of 2025
Daniel David Anter-PS La Salle Academy
Lola Giuliana Berube -PG,t The Prout School
Calvin K. Buffington-PG,E,m The Prout School
Cecilia Evangeline Cambio-PG,A,m The Prout School
Domenic Michael DeGraide Marianapolis Preparatory School
Ryan Richard D’Orsi-PS,H Bishop Hendricken High School
Lilly Nancy Flood The Prout School
Sienna A. Giardino-PS,S La Salle Academy
Madeline Anne Graves-PS,T The Prout School
Margaret Mary Haun North Kingstown High School
Alexa Rae Kanelos North Kingstown High School
Mason A. Killinger The Prout School
Nathanael Charles Lamendola-PG,t,SJ Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope
Katie Paige LaPlante -PS,M The Prout School
Andrew Paul Dungca Liwanag-PG,M,A,CV La Salle Academy
Benjamin James Magiera-PG,S,Th,PE Moses Brown School
Daniel Joseph Mahoney Bishop Hendricken High School
Sofia Rose Medici The Prout School
Annabel Margaret Morgan-PG,E The Prout School
Siena Haley Rocchio-PS,Sp,PE The Prout School
Caroline Louise Smith-PG,H The Prout School
Owen Michael Sowa-PS,Sp The Prout School
Gregory R. Stephenson Bishop Hendricken High School
Ella R. Stevens -PG, CV The Prout School
Serafina Hayes Trotta-PS Scituate High School
Code: PG: Presidential Gold Award; PS - Presidential Silver award; E - Excellence in English: H- Excellence in History; M-Excellence in Math; S- Excellence in Science; Th-Excellence in Theology; A-Excellence in Art; m-Excellence in Music; Sp-Excellence in Spanish; t-Excellence in Technology; PE-Excellence in Physical Education; CV-Christian Values; SJ-Sr. Jeanne “Circle of Mercy” Award