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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — There were “Wicked” references and surprise gifts for the Class of 2025, and when everything was said and done Friday night, Notre Dame Academy graduated 111 students at its Grymes Hill campus.
“Being a student at Notre Dame means being a part of something bigger than ourselves,” said salutatorian Sofia Nielsen, who raised the crowd to its feet after surprising her fellow graduates with painted portraits of their senior photos. “You all have your ways of lighting up the world, and I encourage you to shine brighter and bolder than ever with Notre Dame forever by your side.”
Marie Dugo Dilemani, a senior director of marketing and communications at NBC Universal and a member of the school’s 2007 graduating class, delivered the keynote speech. Noting her work on the blockbuster film “Wicked," Dilemani urged the graduates to reach their potential and to “defy gravity.”
“If you see a roadblock, get creative and find your way around,” said Dilemani, drawing laughs as she referenced back to her days in Notre Dame’s theater program, where she was once painted green and flew as Elphaba in a musical revue. “Your next chapter may start off rocky, or you may be a Galinda and everything’s going perfectly until it isn’t. [But], know that from here, something might change within you while there will be pieces of NDA that will remain with you forever.
“Your NDA education has changed you for the better and for good.”
Alea Belkin then delivered the valedictorian address, emphasizing to “face each unknown with curiosity and kindness, as it will display your elevated state of being and give you the confidence to take on the world with leadership and compassion.”
The candidates for graduation are:
Angelina Rosa Aguanno, Komal Ahmad, Lila Rose Ajello, Emily Sophia Auriemma, Sabrina Madison Banchetto, Casey Barbara, Olivia Rose Barry, Alea Pearl Belkin, Gianna Eve Bellocchio, Alessandra Melinda Bergesio, Anna Biloblotska, Lilianna Rose Bilotti, Bianca Theresa Birstler, Alyssa Lynn Bringslid, Ava Rose Burt, Mia Laura Cacace, Melissa Ann Calemine, Olivia Rosemary Camp, Gianna Alexandra Capasso, Christina Marie Casale, Sofia Rose Cataldi, Arianna Mercedes Cavallone, Frida Ling Chapman, Mary Check, Cassady Layla Chiaromonte, Dea Cobaj, Abby Coleman, Elizabeth Mary Coyne, Sarah Elizabeth Curley, Isabella Czarina De Meo, Cristina DeRossi, Emma Rose DiMeglio, Lillian Grace Dimino, Giuliana Dawn Dito, Sara Djokovic, Julia Rose Donello, Ryann Anne Ellefsen, Giana Nicole Epifania, Victoria Rose Esposito, Marlowe Rose Wallace Ferrie, Sienna Brooke Fink, Sofia Grace Fink, Kayleigh Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, Katherine Nancy Gaglione, Ava Grace Gallo, Kailee Olivia Giarrusso, Campbell Elisabeth Gnerre, Isabella Rose Gramegna, Sophia Joy Guglielmetti, Carli Hope Hitchcock, Madison Ruth Hoerle, Taranveer Kaur Kang, Leann Brianna Lambert, Julianna Rose Lent, Sarah Litrell, Malea Lorenzo, Lily Paige Lynaugh, Cecilia Luisa Maiello, Kayla B. Marsh, Lia Fay Mascolo, Alexandra Paige Matovick, Sienna Lynn Matranga, Kayla Grace McSharry, Emma Rose Melapioni, Abigail Tate Meurer, Laren Jon Micali, Jordan Finn Moore, Kaylee Quinn Mullane, Isabella R. Nardiello, Sofia Gabrielle Nielsen, Ashley Grace O’Connor, Reese Ella Pares, Nicholette Pecorale, Daniela Chantal Pérez, Nicholette Rose Pluchino, Sara Marie Pukala, Brenna Teresa-Anne Raftery, Emily Marie Reilly, Graziella Linda Renna, Ella Concetta Rizzo, Izabella Maria Rodriguez, Nicolette Sophia Romano, Ava Grayce Russell, Renae Rose Russo, Alexandra Rose Salaris, Theodora Lynn Saviolis, Patricia Ann Schron, Helena Antoinette Schweizer, Giavanna Sciandra, Dilbere Sela, Molly Grace Seton, Caitlin O’Kane Shea, Ava Alexandra Siniscalchi, Andreana Dorothea Sipp, Victoria Skomra, Jessica Lynn Soler, Gabriella Soto, Lindsey Anna Souffrin, Olivia Marie Surat, Juliana Faith Territo, Nina Michaela Tisi, Allison Taylor Tricomi, Anna Sophia Tutrone, Hope Elizabeth Uzzle, Lianna Marcella Vaccaro, Ava Rose Vallese, Sophia D. Veneziano, Corey Elisabeth Vitale, Andréa Jean Willis, Jody Katherine Winters, Hannah Elizabeth Xuereb.
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