One hundred sixty-six incredible young women received their diplomas from Mr. Jason Schlereth P'27, '28, president; Miss Kerry Carroll ’04, principal; Mrs. Alice Rogers P’07, ’09, ’13, assistant principal of students; and Mrs. Maureen Layng, English and Theatre Arts teacher. Including the members of this year’s graduating class, 11,188 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 Madeline Heinimann (University of Scranton), the ceremony opened with Alexandra Barry (Princeton University), Student Council president, offering the invocation and Ella Bosse (Tufts University), salutatorian, giving a thoughtful welcoming address. In speaking about the indelible bond of IHA sisterhood Ella said, "Reflecting on our time in these halls, I am reminded of the countless challenges we have overcome and the victories we have achieved together. Amidst moments of doubt and uncertainty, you refused to allow your sisters to fall behind. In those moments, we found strength within ourselves nurtured by unwavering support of those who believe in us. What you all have built here is something truly beautiful: A community that thrives on kindness, fosters growth, and cultivates belonging. One that not only strives for success but empowers its sisters to do the same.”
Mrs. Jaclyn Scerbak de Nicola '15, professional dancer and Radio City Rockette, served as Commencement Speaker. She told graduates about her dream of being a Rockette when she was five years old and how she hoped she could inspire them to chase their own wildest dreams, "Do yourself a favor and don't hold yourself back. Don't give in to the self-limiting belief that you are not enough. Embrace that calculus lesson a little more and know that your limits are boundless because God doesn't give you a dream you can't achieve. When you feel unsure, like I did, rely on your prayer life and trust in Him. Trust that you are worthy of your dreams well before you ever see them come to life."
Diplomas and special awards were then distributed to members of the Class of 2024. We invited alumnae mothers to present diplomas to their graduating daughters, a tradition IHA will continue for years to come. Mothers who distributed diplomas to their daughters included Eileen (Conrad) Stevenson '87 P'24 to Kiera Stevenson; Julie (Wilson) Caton '94 P'24 to Emily Caton; Maura (O'Halloran) Deegan '86 P'19, '24 to Natalie Deegan; Pamela (McKenna) Arone '90 P'22, '24 to Marisa Arone; Andrea (Pitot) Fasolo '93 P'24 to Madison Fasolo; Phyliss (Ventimiglia) Haemmerle '89 P'24 to Julia Haemmerle; Eileen (Barnes) Hahn '85 P'24, '26 to Mary Hahn; Kerry (Finnegan) Reasoner '97 P'24 to Maura Hesler; Jeannine (Boyajian) Barry '94 P'24, '26 to Alexandra Barry; Maria Christina (Ecal) Mack '87 P'24 to Alyssa Mack; Michele Verrone '88 P '21, '24 to Madeline Manning; and Michelle (McMenamin) Gebhardt '91 P'24 to Grace Gebhardt.
After diplomas were presented to each graduate, several students were honored for a variety of accomplishments in and out of the classroom. We send heartfelt congratulations to the 2024 IHA Award winner, Hannah Hart (Vanderbilt University), and the many other award and scholarship recipients recognized at this year’s Commencement Exercises.
Following the award presentation, Mr. Jason Schlereth, IHA president, addressed the graduates and guests by reflecting on the lyrics of the Taylor Swift song, "22," which includes the line, “We’re happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time. It’s miserable and magical.” Mr. Schlereth addressed how each of those words, including the meaning of "free," relates to our IHA graduates, "I hope the freedom you young women now hold allows you to witness the power you possess to change our world. Your freedom provides you with the time, energy, and dedication to face challenges and embrace your dreams. You are in control of your life, your future, your success. Take those changes and keep soaring!"
Class of 2024 valedictorian, Meaghan Keating (University of Notre Dame), delivered an inspirational farewell address and recognized the love and support she has received from the IHA community and her own family members, "Thank you for supporting our dreams and for all the sacrifices you have made to help us achieve them. To my own parents, thank you for your constant love and support and for showing me the importance of keeping Christ at the center of all that I do." Meaghan went on to say, "I am confident that Immaculate Heart Academy's graduating Class of 2024 will be a powerful force for good in the world; a class who redefines female empowerment and most importantly, a class who shows the world what it means to be a woman of valor. I am so grateful to have spent the last four years surrounded by my sisters and I cannot wait to see all that you will accomplish."
At the end of the graduation ceremony, Angelina Escobinas (College of Mount Saint Vincent), Emily Keizer (Lehigh University), Maeve Murray (University of Rhode Island), and Alyssa Torres (Seton Hall University), led their classmates in the school’s Alma Mater before IHA’s newest alumnae exited the gymnasium.
Members of the Class of 2024 received more than $45 million in scholarship awards and will be continuing their education at some of the most esteemed colleges and universities in the country — from Princeton University, Boston College, Vanderbilt University, and Cornell University, to University of Notre Dame, Northeastern University, Tufts University, University of Michigan, and Villanova University.
Fifty-one students are attending Catholic institutions, 11 students are attending schools in New Jersey, and 38% are attending colleges and universities outside of the northeast, with Virginia, Indiana, and South Carolina among the most popular states in that region.
Ninety-one percent of this class was admitted to their first or second-choice college, and 100% will be attending four-year colleges. Some of the most popular choices this year include James Madison University with nine students attending, Fairfield University with eight, Fordham University with seven, and six students will be attending Boston College, Indiana University, Providence College, and Sacred Heart University. One student will be studying internationally at the University of West London.
The following awards were presented at the 2024 Commencement Exercises:
Valedictorian
Meaghan Keating (University of Notre Dame)
Salutatorian
Ella Angelina Bosse (Tufts University)
The IHA Award
Hannah Hart (Vanderbilt University)
The Academic Excellence Award
Rose Martin (Northeastern University)
The Sr. Beatrice Ryan Award
Riley DeMicco (James Madison University)
The Visitation Award
Alexandra Barry (Princeton University)
The Mary Ann Molinari Memorial Award
Samantha Raia (Boston College)
The KariAnn Dellapenta Memorial Award
Cassandra George (Marist College)
The Marie Sellers and Dorothy Savarese Memorial Award
Angelina Escobinas (College of Mount Saint Vincent)
The Jeffrey E. Silver Memorial Award
Selena Cieszko (University of Scranton)
The Catherine Larkin Award
Lauren Hroncich (Bucknell University)
The Caren Cavallo Memorial Scholarship
Ella Crane (Northeastern University)
The Marian Award
Darcy Moore (University of Wisconsin)
The Marisa Suarez Memorial Award
Samantha McGee (Davidson College)
The Denise Gartner Memorial Award
Adrianna Uykan (Boston University)
The Tammy Medzadourian Memorial Award
Avangelia Emporellis (Penn State University)
The Herb Oberle Memorial Award
Madeleine Sandt (DeSales University)
The Michael Thomas Noone Memorial Award
Julia Tumino (Fairfield University)
The Amen Award
Anvi Batra (George Washington University)
The Lynn Gansley Memorial Award
Natalie Deegan (Providence College)
Congratulations, IHA Class of 2024! Click here for the full photo album, courtesy of Mike Hamlett Photography.
Click here for photos from the Baccalaureate Mass & Awards Ceremony from May 31, 2024.