Courage and Confidence since 1880

NCDS News

The Class of 2018 Graduates


Following the procession into the tent, Headmistress Sister Barbara Rogers welcomed our guests. Class president Shannon Reardon ’18 gave the Invocation before Caroline Murphy Racette ’18 delivered the Mary Quinlan Salutatory Address.

“Over my past six years at the school, it has been a pleasure to watch our grade grow together and as individuals in the light of the Five Goals,” said Murphy Racette. “We have explored and embraced our faith on our retreats, developed our intellect through challenging classes, made an impact on the Boston community through service, bonded together in our class activities, and matured through careful reflection. Even with these shared experiences, we remain unique personalities with varied interests and backgrounds. We are an extraordinary group of young women who do not fit into a specific ‘type’ or category. We are dancers, researchers, philanthropists, historians, artists, mathematicians, athletes, engineers, spiritual leaders, and much more. We are serious and light-hearted, competitive and collaborative, confident and humble.”

Following Murphy Racette, Congressman Stephen Lynch P’18 delivered the Graduation Address. “You stand on the shoulders of the strong, dedicated, remarkable women of the Sacred Heart who have nevertheless persisted through the years. Never forget that,” Lynch noted. “Indeed, the future is female, but their lives stand as a testament to the fact that the past was female as well. If nothing else, Rose Philippine Duchesne was as fearless as she was kind, a great combination, I think she would counsel you to continue to avoid what’s comfortable, she would quietly reassure you to be not afraid, have courage, you’ve got this.”

After the conferring of the diplomas, Alice Husson Prize recipient Hannah Joyce ’18 was next to take the stage to address her classmates with a message of heartfelt thanks to the faculty. Head of the Upper School Kathleen Scully Hodges then distributed prizes before Nina Weiss ’18 delivered the Janet Erskine Stuart Valedictory Address.

“Just like Philippine on the Rebecca, we will soon be setting out on our own journeys,” said Weiss. “Maybe you are excited for college, maybe you are nervous, maybe, like me, you are both. But we are ready for the challenges that lie ahead. Our teachers, our parents, our friends and families have been Madeleine Sophies to us all. Now, we need only channel the Philippine within each of us and set sail.”

The Clare McGowan Prize was given to Dance teacher Melissa Davenport before the Sacred Heart Goal Awards were distributed. Chairman of the Board of Trustees Christopher Kelly P’05’07’12’16 delivered the closing prayer.

After the recessional, the newest alumnae lined up outside of the tent to receive hugs and well wishes from faculty and staff members before joining their friends and family in celebration.