The rain held off for Fontbonne Academy’s 56th Graduation on Thursday, May 23. Per tradition, it was held on the Fontbonne lawn under a festive white tent. Family and friends of the Class of 2013, along with the adult members of the Learning Community, the 50th Reunion Class of 1963, and the Board of Trustees gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the senior class. Student Council President, Colleen MacDonald of Weymouth, welcomed those in attendance. Honors Speakers, Eliza McDonald of Quincy and Maretta Morovitz of Weymouth, addressed their classmates, encouraging them to face their fears and have the courage to excel. Eliza encouraged students to, as Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Do the things you think you cannot do.” Maretta told her peers not to play small and to let their greatness shine through. Ms. Terry Kahlert Eng, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Fontbonne Academy, presented the seniors as having met the criteria for graduation and the students were presented their diplomas by Head of School Mary Ellen Barnes. Commencement Speaker, Elizabeth Hayes Patterson, Class of 1963, a professor at GeorgetownUniversityLawSchool for the past thirty three years, unfortunately had a family emergency and was unable to attend at the last minute. The Fontbonne Select Chorus closed the ceremony with a beautiful rendition of For Good and led the audience in the Fontbonne Alma Mater. Colleen MacDonald was awarded the prestigious Fontbonne Award, given to a member of the graduating class that best exemplifies the Fontbonne woman. After the ceremony, the seventy-two seniors from the Class of 2013 exited the tent to the circle in front of the school for the annual cap throwing, signifying the end of their high school years.

The Class of 2013 has given Fontbonne a Class Gift of a fountain. Fontbonne, translated from French, means “good fountain” and fountains are symbolic in much of the school history, especially the alma mater which states “from this fountain we are women of courage made strong.” The fountain will be installed and a dedication ceremony will be held in November, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, when many graduates visit the school for the traditional “Spirit Day.”

Many students were honored at the Awards Ceremony which was held after the Baccalaureate Mass on Tuesday, May 21. Milton residents received several awards: Christine Carroll received Leadership in the French Honor Society Award; Emma Byrne received Excellence in Jazz Choir Award; Kirsten Robinson received Leadership in Senior Peer Ministries Award; Lauren Kinsella received Outstanding Effort in French Literature Award.