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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — St. Joseph Hill Academy held its commencement exercises for the tiny but mighty Class of 2025 Friday evening.
Friends and family members of the graduates began to line up over an hour in advance of the ceremony with hopes of getting a front row seat.
The sun shined down on the campus as the Class of 2025 participated in the traditional St. Joseph Hill Academy processional - marching across the grounds in three crisp rows.
St. Joseph Hill Academy High School 2025 valedictorian, Sarah Fong, left, and 2025 salutatorian, Isabella Gassoso.Courtesy of St. Joseph Hill Academy
Once the graduates were seated, Sister Mary Coffelt, president of the Board of Trustees, delivered the invocation to kick off the ceremony.
Sister Coffelt assured the students they would remain in her prayers as they move on to the next chapter.
Next, Isabella Gassoso delivered the salutatorian address. She emphasized what a milestone it was to reach the finish line for a class who began its time at the school during the pandemic — a time of uncertainty.
“As I look back at all of our photos and memories from the past four years, I see a beautiful mosaic piece of art,” said the Silver Award for Academic Distinction recipient.
Graduates then performed “Wherever I Go,” originally performed by Miley Cyrus.
St. Joseph Hill Academy ‘86 alumni Debbie Deuble Hill was the keynote speaker for this year’s graduation ceremony.
Deuble Hill, who is a partner and senior vice president of Independent Artist Group, had one main piece of advice for graduates: “The future is female.”
“We must listen and understand the feelings of others — it is the only way to progress,” said the alum.
All 72 graduates had their special moment crossing the stage and were acknowledged for their academic achievements.
Sarah Fong delivered the valedictorian address.
“We persevered together, we fought for what we wanted no matter how many times we were told no,” said the Gold Award for Academic Distinction recipient.
Fong advised her fellow graduates that the only way to fail is to avoid taking risks, quoting Confucius: “We have two lives, the second begins when we realize we only have one.”
Principal Elizabeth Esposito advised the graduates to prioritize taking care of themselves.
“When you’re approaching a speed bump, you slow down so that you don’t damage your car. In life, when you approach challenges, you must slow down and assess so you don’t cause yourself physical or emotional damage,” said the principal.
The candidates for graduation are:
Selena Toni Afif, Ekaterina Belyakova, Grace Julia Bono, Lily Katherine Bosco, Caitlyn Taylor Buthorn, Riley Isabella Cammarano, Angelina Ann Cantone, Allison Rose Clancy, Mercedes Antoinette Clark, Julianna Marie Cuomo, Brianna Grace D’Agostino, Alexa D’Egidio, Giulia DiMaggio, Lianna Marie DiMartini, Melinda Djinovic, Keira Keenan Droge, Chloe Anne Dugan, Kassandra Ann Eckert, Grace Ann Fanizza, Sally Nachaat Fares, Sarah Fong, Brenda Rose Garpestad, Isabella Teresa Gassoso, Julia Lois Giambrone, Emily Faith Giammarino, Vanessa Jean Gronock, Deanna Alice Hamanjian, Rio Ann Hessler, Mallory Rose Holst, Mackenzie Paige Keane, Madison Hope Keane, Molly Kate Keane, Darian Susan Kelly, Nicole Kindja, Kayleigh Marie LaPointe, Greza M Laze, Carlie Elizabeth Leahy, Rihana Lika, Emma Frances Logan, Nicolette Anne Mandia, Samantha Marrone, Kayla Martinez, Enaiyah Martini, Elle Marianne Moeller, Catherine Marie Molesso, Samantha Jade Musarella, Kassidy Patricia Nugent, Regan Elizabeth O’Connell, Sonoma Raye Ogofa, Milana Okun, Gabriella Pirozzi, Gianna Antonella Riggio, Evangelin Frances Rivera, Ava Frances Rizzo, Catalina Rodriguez, Zariyah Sami, Olivia Jenna Santana, Francesca Antonia Scarso, Maria Shvarts, Hailey Kathleen Trabulsi, Emily Anne van der Neut, Angelina Marie Vazquez, Jaclyn Nicole Venezia, Emma Rose Wagner, Alexandra Mary Wallace, Bailee Domenique Webb, Addison Elizabeth Weist, Jessica Faith Regina Wells, Sean Reilly Woods, Natalie Elizabeth Wynter, Isabella Maria Yenzer, Emanuella Sophie Zaretsky.
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