PROVIDENCE — On Monday evening, June 5, St. Mary Academy – Bay View graduated its Class of 2023 at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Each of the 49 graduates have been accepted to college, earning more than $12 million in collective scholarships. The Class of 2023 will be pursuing higher education at 42 different colleges and universities across the country.

Valedictorian and Class President Ciara Mercado-Alvarez, of Seekonk, was one of the speakers to address the crowd of students, families, faculty, staff, alumnae, and members of the Board of Trustees with a reflection on lessons learned at Bay View.

"As our time at Bay View has passed, we have discovered more about who we are and the type of people we desire to become. In the spirit of a Mercy education, we have been encouraged to embrace a commitment to agape–self-giving, unconditional love–inside and outside of the classroom," she said. "We have learned that our identities will be tied not to our grades or popularity but to the memories of loving one another through service and mentorship; memories that are the architects of our future, one in which I am certain each and every one of us will make an indelible impact on our communities.”

In addition to her many academic achievements, Mercado-Alvarez is the recipient of the Colleen Gribbin Award, the Harvard Book Prize and the Herbert and Claiborne Pell History Medal. She's a four-year athlete on the state champion volleyball team and will be attending Brown University in the fall.

“I see people who will change the future, not only because of their knowledge and skills, but because of their hearts–doctors who will advocate for more equitable healthcare, politicians who will reform our justice system, engineers who will solve complex problems to address the needs of their communities, performers who will bring life and light into this world, teachers and coaches who will inspire a love of learning and growth. Our potential is limitless," Mercado-Alvarez added.

Sister Marybeth Beretta, the school president, was honored with an honorary degree from Bay View, joining the Class of 2023. Although she is leaving her role at Bay View at the end of the month, she will always be connected as an esteemed alumna.

"I’m so proud of our Class of 2023 for all they have accomplished during their time at Bay View. It is especially promising to know that the future of our world will be shaped by their intellect, leadership, and dedication to service as women of Mercy,” said Beretta. “No matter where their lives and careers take them, I feel confident in their ability to succeed and to engage their communities with the sense of social awareness and personal responsibility that are among the hallmarks of their Mercy education.”

Julie Patalano Hamil, Esq., a BVA grad in the Class of 1994, was recognized as the 2023 Alumna of the Year. She, too, spoke to the graduates at commencement.

“The diploma you receive tonight is a token of that achievement; a symbol of the education you have earned over the last four years and you should feel so proud of yourselves,” said Patalano Hamil. “As you get older and hone in on a career, your opportunities to be part of the solution to some of society’s challenges might become more direct; maybe you will work for a nonprofit, or become a law enforcement officer, or a lawyer or legislator… Maybe you can’t end racism by yourself, or fix our immigration system tomorrow, but you can help a child feel loved, you can show gratitude to your parents who go out and fight the good fight every day to provide for you; you can make a stranger feel seen. And by spreading your light - you may never know how - but you are doing the work your mercy education prepared you to do.”

At the graduation ceremony, members of the Class of 2023 received recognition for academic excellence and their contributions to the campus community. The following list represents St. Mary Academy - Bay View’s graduating Class of 2023, including the academic and character awards bestowed at the senior awards ceremony. Membership in the Rhode Island Honor Society and the National Honor Society is also indicated.

The Class 0f 2023 (+ National Honor Society; * Rhode Island Honor Society):
Marina Sophia Abreu + *
Serenity Jade Alejandro *
Rachel Kathryn Alves * (Salt of the Earth Awardee)
Siera Lynn Baptista *
Ahtiana Angelina Benway *
Ava Theresa Brennan *
Olivia Grace Cobery *
Olivia Rae Coelho + * (Sister Mary Marlene Laliberte Awardee)
Sophia Joy DiChiaro + * (Salt of the Earth Awardee)
Mary Elizabeth DiIorio + *
Phoebe Kate Dolan + *
Johnna Maria Eunis * (Salt of the Earth Awardee)
Taylor Olivia Ferraro + * (Mercy Honor Awardee)
Jordan Lauraine Foster *
Lia Belle Gallagher * (Sister Maureen McElroy Awardee)
Samantha Jing Xiu Garagliano *
Elizabeth Cory Jones Healey + *
Grace Ann Iannuccilli *
Gabrielle Fe Jeffrey *
Satanvi Kavali + *
Jessica Lynn Lamoureux + * (Mercy Honor Awardee)
Christina Marie Maggiacomo *
Natalya Lauren Martin *
Olivia Ann Mattos + *
Maggie Kathleen McKitchen *
Cassidy Jean McLoughlin *
Ciara Giselle Mercado-Alvarez + * (Colleen Gribbin Awardee)
Francine Avery Miller + * (Sister Mary Edward Walsh Awardee)
Sophia Alex Napp-Vega * (Mercy Honor Awardee)
Amy Tirrell Papa + * (Sister Mary Bernard McCann Awardee)
Hannah Lin-Meng Parisella + * (Frances Warde Woman of Courage Awardee)
Julia Isabella Parsons + * (Sister Marie Andre Guay Awardee)
Jady Payamps *
Jazmin Louvinia Pierce *
Brenna Joan Plaziak *
Brianna Alexa Quintana Santiago *
Jennalise Maria Rosado *
Rebecca Ann Russell *
Semiha Oluwasemilore Salami * (Sister Elizabeth Hathaway Mercy Service Awardee)
Suraily Alaisa Sam *
Mia Claire Saracino + *
Kaitlin Elizabeth Schaad (Frances Warde Woman of Courage Awardee)
Eleanor Michelle Ilene Sheridan * (Mercy Honor Awardee)
Kayley Ann Thibodeau * (Mercy Honor Awardee)
Sarah Grace Trosin * (Salt of the Earth Awardee)
Elyse Michelle Vieira * (Salt of the Earth Awardee)
Ella Jeanne Wasylow + * (Catherine McAuley Woman of the Year Awardee)
Lindsey Gwen Williams + * (Sister Elizabeth Hathaway Mercy Service Awardee)
Kaitlyn Marie Wojtyna