Enthusiastic crowds gathered at the newly-restored Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston’s South End to cheer on the Cathedral High School class of 2019. As the organ played the familiar notes of Pomp and Circumstance, the 69 seniors gladly processed in to accept their diplomas at the 88th Commencement Exercises, earning their place as the 16th consecutive class to achieve 100% college acceptance.
Salutatorian Armani Lamin ’19 addresses his classmates
Salutatorian Armani Lamin ’19, who will attend Georgetown University in the fall, told his classmates “we will continue to set the standard and the model for future generations.” Speaking of the many partnerships and opportunities at Cathedral High School, Armani reminded his classmates of the expectation to pay it forward as they graduate. “Experiences with Fidelity, WilmerHale, Tufts, and other organizations made us ambassadors of the Cathedral brand to create opportunities for ourselves and others,” he said.
Valedictorian Samuel Cintra ’19 at Commencement
Valedictorian Samuel Cintra ’19, who will be studying at Denison University, looked to the bright future of his class. “Honestly, as sad as I am that we are all going separate ways, it also brings me joy,” he told them. “I know that each and every single individual here has the ability to make a…positive impact anywhere we go; to give happiness and hope to every one we encounter; and to achieve greatness.”
Joining the graduates were those who have gone before them. In a Cathedral High tradition, the school welcomed and honored dozens of alumni from classes celebrating milestone anniversaries of their own graduation—this year, Golden Diplomas were presented to alumni of the classes of 1949, 1954, 1959, 1964, and 1969. In a moving gesture, the Class of 2019 stood and turned to give a round of applause to these Golden Diploma recipients.
Director of Guidance Nancy Lane ’69 accepts her Golden Diploma from Head of School Dr. Oscar Santos
Among the Golden Diploma recipients were two trustees, C. Michael Daley ’54 and John Remondi ’54, President of the CHS Alumni Association and his wife, Roger and Ann Scott of the class of 1964, and beloved CHS Director of Guidance Nancy Lane ’69. Having worked closely with every single one of the graduating seniors to get them into the best colleges of their choice, Ms. Lane received a particularly enthusiastic applause from the students as she accepted her Golden Diploma.
In addition to the valedictorian and salutatorian recognition, the school also presents awards recognizing graduates who made special contributions to student life.
The “Vigor in Arduis” award, named for Cathedral High School’s motto (and also the episcopal motto of its founder, Cardinal William O’Connell) which means “strength in the face of adversity” in Latin, is Cathedral High School’s highest honor to a senior. Class valedictorian Samuel Cintra also received this top award for distinguishing himself, not just in academics, but in all aspects of student life and by embodying gospel values.
Graduates receive their diplomas at the 88th Commencement Exercises
Awards to other distinguished seniors included: the Spirit Award for enthusiasm and humanitarian action to Makayla Thomas ’19; the Covenant Award for valuing diversity and promoting harmony in the Cathedral community to Neyssa Franklin ’19; and the Service Award for routinely volunteering time and talent in the service of others to Christina Jean-Charles ’19.
Rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and school trustee, Monsignor Kevin O’Leary, offered a closing benediction and with an organ fanfare the newest CHS alumni processed out of the Cathedral and into the streets to cheers and applause.
The Cathedral High School Class of 2019:
- Jacob Osias Accime*
Jiah Neshanté Ancrum*
Selena Destine Andre
Marie Bangura*
Keanu Barbosa
Jayden Omar Bartholomew-Miller
Jacqueline Margaret Nora Beggan
Anthony Berry
Amani Monét Boston
Julian J. Uga*
Rianna Alyssa Cadogan
Cheyenne Shaquanyah Carty-Lawrence
Lianis Marie Cedeño*
Mark Xavier Chester
Samuel Cintra*
Katia Antonia Coll-Santana*
Kayla Angela Coll-Santana*
Nia Imani Nicole Daley*
Skyler Renee Dejesus*
Gavimaciel Diaz-Infante*
Jordan Isaiah Dickerson
Mamadou Macka Dieng
Rhiannon Elizabeth Downie*
Melissa Rebecca Dumoulin
Jacques Damani Duverna
Kaiya Nalani Duverna*
Brandan Evangelista
Melissa Johanne Florestal*
Mernell Wilder Francois
Neyssa Danielle Franklin*
Medgie Geneus
Charmaine Angelina Harper
Jasmine Elizabeth Howard*
Tamisha Husbands*
Steven Huynh
Christina Yvonne Jean-Charles*
McPhenley Jean-Mary
Ashlie Anthonette Jeffers-Stevens
Dejah Monee Jenkins
Nkaya Nichols John*
Ashley Jolly
Lude Christie Joseph
Swahibu Kaba
Nathan Phillip Kierans
Armani Yasin Lamin*
Trinity Eileen Levine
Lela Mahone-Knight
Jalen Marcelo
Stanley Dilone Mejia Checo
Regina Angela Mendez
Osmara C. Monteiro
Caley Moon
Tito Desa Okundaye
Tutu Nosa Okundaye
Ryan A. Oller
Osakpolor Clinton Osula*
Giselina Peña Vasquez*
Lisalina Peña Vásquez*
Shanayree Y. Peña Nova
Amairis T. Perez Mejia*
Stanley J. Pierre-louis
Jayden Raheem Reid
Ashlei Tiarah Saunders-Lundy*
Makayla Simone Thomas*
Jeffrey Toussaint
Rian Toussaint*
Xander Visker
Noah Martin White
Brianna Marie Williams
* Denotes members of the National Honor Society
