Mount Mercy Academy held its 118th graduation ceremony on May 24 in the Mercy Center Auditorium. Forty-five members of the class of 2023 received their diplomas from Michele Melligan, Mount Mercy’s Head of School.
Salutatorian Jillian Schneck (Buffalo) welcomed and addressed the audience to open the ceremony. Catherine Klodzinski (Buffalo), the valedictorian, delivered the valedictory address. She thanked the faculty, staff, her parents and classmates for aiding both herself and the class on their journeys. She spoke of memories that shaped who they are. She stressed that although this is only a beginning for the class, they should take pride in how far they have come. She urged her classmates to dream big and achieve all they dream of.
Kathleen (Kate) Daley Dust, Class of 1973, was the graduation speaker. She is a career educator, administrator and advocate for children and families. She is also a lecturer in the School of Education at Buffalo State. Dust spoke to the graduates about the incredible change and challenges that they had to deal with during the Covid pandemic. She commended them for learning to adapt and learning to be a part of a small, guarded world, while trying to fit in. She told the class that their achievements were impressive and that she is both excited for and proud of them.
Graduate Elizabeth Godsoe (Buffalo) was presented with the Frances Warde Leadership Award and Madison Serafini (Buffalo) was presented with the Catherine McAuley Service Award.
The graduating Class of 2023 from Mount Mercy Academy earned over $14 million in college scholarships and merit-based grants!
