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Newton Country Day’s 146th Commencement Exercises were held in the Sunken Garden on Thursday, June 4. Faculty, staff, and the families and friends of the 57 graduates of the Class of 2026 gathered under the tent to celebrate the accomplishments of the senior class.

Head of School Jessica Hooper P ‘28 began the ceremony by reflecting on the Sacred Heart goals and values that have shaped the Class of 2026 throughout their time at Newton Country Day. "Aligned with the five goals, they are ready to live with purpose, to root their lives in faith, to think critically and discern wisely. Ready to pursue justice, to build communities anchored in love, and to exercise what we call wise freedom, freedom guided by values, not impulse. These graduates are equipped to be the changemakers our world so urgently needs."

Hooper then introduced Class President Lucy Guden ‘26, who gave the Invocation, followed by Mary Quinlan Prize recipient Grace Grant ‘26, who was chosen by her classmates to speak. Grant reflected on the power of community and the sense of belonging that defined the Class of 2026's experience at Newton Country Day. Recalling her first days as a student, Grant spoke about finding a home within the community. “Little did I know that what were then just names and faces would later become the people whom I call my sisters,” she said. “Now, standing up here today, I understand something that I could not see when I first approached the Sunken Garden as a timid freshman: the power of the Sacred Heart family.” Grant also reflected on the ways her classmates embodied the values of generosity, courage, and gratitude throughout their four years together. Quoting Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, she reminded her peers that “great hearts, generous hearts, are required in the family of God’s Heart,” adding, “I know that we are not only these generous hearts, but also the courageous and grateful hearts that shine in the biggest and smallest moments each day.”

Hooper took the stage once again to introduce Commencement speaker Natasha Walwyn Robinson '00, a prominent voice on law and emerging technology. Robinson holds a Biology degree with a French minor from the University of Virginia, a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School, and Executive Education in Computer Science for Lawyers from Harvard Law School. With more than 15 years of in‑house experience at global leaders such as Oracle, Morgan Stanley, General Dynamics, and Meta, she has built a career at the forefront of corporate and technology law.

Robinson reflected on the formative role Newton Country Day played in her life and encouraged the graduating class to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. “There will be curveballs, changes, opportunities, and challenges,” Robinson said. “It is how you manage them and who you share memories with that counts the most.” In conclusion of her address, Robinson dedicated her remarks to her late classmate and friend, Tenile Pritchard '00, whose example inspired one final piece of advice for the graduates. “She taught me that showing up is equally important as anything else I have said today. Show up. Show up for yourself. Show up for others.”

After the conferring of diplomas, Alice Husson Prize recipient Reese Hamilton '26 took the stage to express gratitude for the school’s faculty and staff. “[They] taught us what it means to be genuinely happy for the people around us. In a world that often encourages comparison, they showed us that another person’s success does not take away from our own. They modeled what it means to celebrate one another wholeheartedly, and because of that, we became each other’s biggest cheerleaders. They have taught us that kindness is often found in the small and consistent acts—the ways we care for one another, celebrate one another, and quietly make each other better."

Following the distribution of prizes, Tessa Venanzi '26 delivered the Janet Erskine Stuart Valedictory Address, sharing her reflections on the transformative impact of a Sacred Heart education and the ways the Class of 2026 has grown in courage, leadership, and service. “As our class began high school, we all came in with existing talents, interests, and passions,” Venanzi said. “But over the past four years, guided by Goal V, we have grown in courage as we have discovered new abilities, cultivated strengths, and stepped outside of our comfort zones.”

She also reflected on the strong sense of community that united the class, describing how classmates supported one another and built connections across different interests and experiences. Looking ahead, Venanzi encouraged her peers to carry the values of Sacred Heart education into the future. “We are ready to act,” she said. “My hope for each of us is that when we act, we find opportunities to, as Goal III calls us to do." Concluding her remarks, Venanzi encouraged her classmates to approach the future with openness and confidence, saying, “I hope that each of us finds our true purpose, knowing that it is never too late to discover it, as long as we are always open to exploration.”

After the Sacred Heart Awards were distributed by Associate Head of School for Strategy and Mission, Nicole Noel, Hooper congratulated the graduates and award recipients and addressed the Class of 2026 for a final time: “Never forget the promise found in Romans 8: Nothing – absolutely nothing – can separate you from the love of God." She then invited Chair of the Board of Trustees Maura T. Murphy ’99 to deliver the closing prayer.

Prizes

• The Mary Quinlan Prize, named for a legendary history teacher and Dean at Newton College of the Sacred Heart, is awarded to the student selected by the graduating class to speak at graduation: Grace Grant ’26
• The Alice Husson Prize, named for Sister Alice Husson, an outstanding educator for more than 50 years, is awarded to the student selected by the faculty to speak at commencement: Teresa Hamilton ’26
• The Janet Erskine Stuart Prize is awarded to the student with the highest cumulative average for four years: Tessa Venanzi ’26

Prizes for Outstanding Achievement

• Art: Gabby Zhang ‘26
• Computer Science: Lucy Guden ‘26
• Dance: Kiera Baker ‘26
• English: Lily Aslett ‘26
• French: Brenda Borges ‘26
• History: Isobel Lucibello ‘26
• Instrumental Music: Samantha Sullivan ‘26
• Latin: Audrey Freyermuth ‘26
• Mathematics: Tessa Venanzi ‘26
• Performing Arts: Katelyn Hanson ‘26
• Religious Studies: Makayla Rodrigues ‘26
• Scholar Artist: Sofia Ayala ‘26
• Scholar Athlete: Lucy Cooney ‘26
• Science: Sloane Brzezinski ‘26
• Senior Project: Carmen Walters ‘26
• Spanish: Bridget Gavin ‘26
• STEM: Sophie Tournet ‘26
• Vocal Music: Alla Petrosyan ‘26

Sacred Heart Awards

• The Paula Collins Mazzio Prize for Writing is awarded to a student who excels in writing in any genre: Isobel Lucibello ‘26
• The Pamela Donovan Prize is awarded to a student who demonstrates personal integrity: Anna Busby ‘26
• The Sarah Jones Prize honors a student who possesses a deep commitment to determination, follow-through, and a vision for the future: Brenda Borges ‘26
• The Clare Pratt Prize is awarded to a student for her interest in the world: Sandy Kario ‘26
• The Virginia Schumann Prize celebrates devotion to the tradition of Sacred Heart Education: Lane Carroll ‘26
• The Barbara Rogers Prize is presented to a student who, like Sister Rogers, worked in large and small ways to help the community grow in its capacity to make known the love of the heart of Jesus: Reese Hamilton ‘26
• The Clare McGowan Prize, named in honor of Sister Clare McGowan, alumna of Newton Country Day and former Head of the Sacred Heart School in Washington, Stone Ridge is available to our teachers who have served for more than ten years. The grant encourages travel to deepen our appreciation of our Sacred Heart heritage: Dr. Crystal Mims
• The Cor Unum Award is presented in recognition of exceptional contributions in enhancing the school’s ability to make known the love of the heart of Jesus. “Cor Unum at Anima Una,” the motto of the Society of the Sacred Heart, reflects Madeleine Sophie Barat’s aspiration for us to be united in mind and heart: Mrs. Maryanne Mignone

Four Year Goal Awards

• Goal I: A personal and active faith in God: Kaylie Mulka ‘26
• Goal II: A deep respect for intellectual values: Katie Mingle ‘26
• Goal III: A social awareness which impels to action: Grace Molinsky ‘26
• Goal IV: The building of community as a Christian value: Ceci Egan ‘26
• Goal V: Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom: Rielley Cronican ‘26

Our two final prizes, the school’s highest awards, are named for the two saints of the Society of the Sacred Heart. St. Madeleine Sophie was the foundress of the Society, and St. Philippine brought Sacred Heart Education to North America in 1818. 

• The St. Philippine Duchesne Prize is awarded to a student who demonstrates a spirit of steadfast purpose and the courage of her convictions: Lily Aslett ‘26
• The St. Madeleine Sophie Barat Prize is awarded to a student who exemplifies excellence in all aspects of Sacred Heart Education: Grace Grant ‘26

At ceremonies earlier this week, the following prizes were awarded.

Grade 8 Prizes

• The Kiki Niedermeyer Award is given for faith, courage, and kindness: Milena Rufo '30
• The Trudy Hennessey Award is given to a student who has exhibited good sportsmanship and a positive spirit in all aspects of school life: Katherine Fradette '30
• The Alice Husson, RSCJ Award is given to a student for demonstrating qualities of generosity, service, courtesy, and responsibility: Emory Hassell '30
• The Catherine Baxter, RSCJ Award is given to the Middle School student who best exemplifies the goals and criteria of Sacred Heart schools: Maeve Parcell '30

Grade 11 Prizes

• The Catherine Baxter, RSCJ Prize is awarded to a student for her excellent contribution to the arts, athletics, and academic programs of the school: Marquisha Spencer '27
• The Catherine (Kit) Collins, RSCJ Prize is awarded to a student whose actions demonstrate a strong commitment to social justice: Larissa Naccour '27
• The Charles Hodges Prize is awarded to the student who embodies intellectual curiosity, excellent academic achievement, personal integrity, and a deep commitment to the theater arts: Catherine Wu '27
• The Maureen O’Halloran, RSCJ Prize is awarded to the student who demonstrates a keen interest in history and politics: Ella Christian '27

The Head of School’s Courage and Confidence Award

This award is presented to the student in each grade who brings life to the Goals through small gestures that remind us that we are of one heart and one mind. These students were nominated for consideration by their teachers, the Class Deans and the school’s administration. 

• Grade 5: Drew Dabney '33
• Grade 6: Sawyer Straub '32
• Grade 7: Maysel Woolbert '31
• Grade 8: Lexi Schuldt: '30
• Grade 9: Maeve Ryan '29
• Grade 10: Emily Antonellis '28
• Grade 11: Isabelle Martin '27
• Grade 12: Elsie Allen '26