One hundred forty-seven incredible young women received their diplomas from Mr. Jason Schlereth, president; Miss Kerry Carroll’04, principal; and Mrs. Alice Rogers P’…. and Mrs. Maureen Layng, assistant principals. Including the members of this year’s graduating class, ten thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine young women now carry the title of IHA alumna.

Graduates processed into the gymnasium to Pomp and Circumstance played by the IHA Orchestra. After a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem sung by Alyssa Darella’22 (University of South Carolina – Columbia), Alexis Mason’22 (Marist College), Laura Madison Rickli’22 (The University of Alabama), and Aniela Sanders’22 (Franciscan University ofSteubenville), the ceremony opened with Olivia Raia’22 (Boston College), Student Council president, offering the invocation and Riley McGovern (Boston College), salutatorian, giving a thoughtful welcoming address. Commencement Speaker, Ms. Sarah Pagano, IHA Class of 2009 and a professional runner, then addressed the graduating class with an inspirational speech.

Diplomas and special awards were then distributed to members of the Class of 2022. After diplomas were presented to each graduate, the IHA Family Awards were given to six families whose final daughter of three or more graduated this year. Several students were also honored for a variety of accomplishments in and out of the classroom. We send heartfelt congratulations to this year’s IHA Award winner, Riley Ypelaar’22 (Clemson University), and the many other award and scholarship recipients recognized at this year’s Commencement Exercises. Mr. Jason Schlereth, IHA president, addressed the graduates and guests with a motivational speech before Class of 2022 valedictorian, Katherine Young’22 (Villanova University), delivered a moving farewell address. Laura Madison Rickli’22 (The University of Alabama) concluded the ceremony by leading her classmates in IHA’s Alma Mater before IHA's newest alumnae walked out to Allegretto played by the IHA Orchestra. 

Members of the Class of 2022 received more than forty-one million dollars in scholarship awards and will be continuing their education at some of the most esteemed colleges and universities in the country—from University of Michigan, Georgetown University, and Boston College to McGill University (Canada), New York University, and Wake Forest University.

Thirty-eight students are attending Catholic institutions, thirteen students are attending schools in New Jersey, and forty percent are attending colleges and universities outside of the northeast. Some of the most popular choices this year include Marist College, Fordham University, and Clemson University with seven each; Fairfield University, Pennsylvania State University, Sacred Heart University, and Syracuse University with five each; University of South Carolina and University of Delaware with four each; and Boston College, Bucknell University, and Stevens Institute of Technology with three each. Eighty-eight percent of this class is attending their first or second-choice colleges.

Congratulations to the Immaculate Heart Academy’s Class of 2022. Keep soaring, Blue Eagles!

Click here for the full photo album of 2022 Graduation pictures, courtesy of Mike Hamlett Photography and Tara Hopfenspirger. Click here to view the 2022 Graduation video, courtesy of Ms. Jessi Shaheen, Mrs. Lorraine Mongelli, and Mr. Phil Bernardi.