On June 1st, the 109 students of the class of 2024 woke up with two emotions; well possibly three if you’re counting the nervousness they felt for perfecting their curtsy during graduation. The main emotions, however, remained an intense sadness for having to leave Gwynedd behind but an intense excitement for the rest of their life to begin. The class of 2024 began their high school careers during a pandemic with the odds stacked against them as they took classes virtually, walking the red and gold corridors in single directions with masks covering half their faces. In the beginning, the students were divided due to the situation, but as the months went by, the students got to not only connect with each other academically but also on a deeper level through mercy. After the trials and tribulations of freshman year, the next three years absolutely flew by. The students formed lifelong bonds with the faculty, staff, and most importantly their fellow peers. Through the hardship of their situation they were able to grow stronger as mercy students and were ready to celebrate their accomplishments and be recognized on their graduation day.
As students arrived at Gwynedd in the traditional all white, all the memories, the laughs, and the hardships of their last four years came flooding back to them. The students walked the halls of Gwynedd for the last time and were reminded of each friendship formed in a class and each lesson learned. As the students gathered in the gym to take the annual Gwynedd graduation photo that is hung in the halls, they knew that they had made their impact on the school and that the school had made an impact on them. When the class of 2024 lined up in the halls in preparation for the ceremony, many felt jitters for this new journey in their life. The Gwynedd education, however, had spent four years preparing them for this moment so they were able to put the jitters behind them and walk confidently with their heads held high.
The graduation commencement began at eleven as each senior walked through the halls and into the Performing Arts center, each carrying a beautiful bouquet of roses. Family members and friends watched as the class of 2024 took their final steps of their high school journey. The ceremony began with a moving invocation written and read by Emily Matos ‘24. The invocation was followed by another speech this time written by Oriana Powzaniuk ‘24, this year’s salutatorian. After the two reflective and meaningful speeches, it was time for the seniors to receive their medals and diplomas, recognition of all the dedication and hard work they put into the last four years. GMA’s president, Mrs. Marbauch, bestowed the medals upon the students where GMA’s principal, Mrs. Carty, awarded every student with a diploma. Each student followed in the tradition of mercy girls before them as they each curtsied before receiving their medal and diploma. As the students sat on stage with their flowers and diplomas, they reflected back on how every late night study session, every club meeting, every sports game and every mistake allowed them to grow into the students and people that they are today.
The commencement ended with two more speeches, one from the class of 2024’s valedictorian, Dylan Burke and from the commencement speaker, Gwynedd Alumna and Trocaire Leadership Award Recipient Kelley Mallot DeConcillis ‘99. Dylan reflected on the journey of the class of 2024 specifically referring to the senior retreat, Emmaus. Kelley Mallot DeConcillis bestowed wisdom and tips upon the class of 2024 as they begin the next part of their journeys. Both speeches created a sentimental and moving atmosphere throughout the Performing Arts Center and the graduates began to realize that their time at Gwynedd was fully coming to an end. Standing up on stage, the graduates sang the beloved Alma Mater with their hearts full and the help of Gwynedd Alumna in the crowd.
As the graduates left the stage for the final time, they made their way into the chapel in reflective silence. As they arrived in the chapel together, Annalise Bilardo ‘24 and her mother crowned the statue of Mary in honor of the month of May and all that Mary has done for the mercy students. The class of 2024 then all sang and prayed together in mercy and graduation tradition. They began and ended their mercy journey together and knew that they had become stronger due to the people around them and the mercy spirit that consistently filled the halls.
The day ended with the graduates giving big hugs to their friends and family who had supported them throughout their four years of high school. The campus was filled with the graduates taking pictures in front of the school, with the statue of the Sisters of Mercy founder, Catherine McCauley, and in the Circle of Mercy. Driving away, the graduates know that they will always have a place and a home at Gwynedd. Years from now, the graduates will look back at the photos taken on their graduation day and remember all the feelings they felt that day. Most importantly, they will remember all that Gwynedd had given them and prepared them for. Seeing their smiles holding onto their diplomas and roses, the class of 2024 will most importantly remember that the circle of mercy is timeless.
