The threat of rain could not dampen the spirits of the 96 seniors who graduated from Villa Duchesne on May 20. The 83rd Commencement Ceremony was held on the front lawn of the Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School campus. More than 600 family, friends, and faculty were present as Head of School Sr. Lucie Nordmann and Villa Duchesne Principal Doug Lowney conferred the diplomas.
Andrea Herman was this year’s valedictorian with Lauren Lauer as the salutatorian. In her salutatory address, Lauren said, “The strength and spirit of our class is beyond words. We are an indescribable group of women with a profound energy and confidence that will carry us throughout our lives… Our bold and unstoppable nature has transformed our outlook on life as we now approach each day as well as our future with passion and zeal.”
Villa Duchesne’s Class of 2012 will all be attending 4-year colleges and universities in the fall. Members have distinguished themselves with 30 percent of the class scoring a 30 or above on the ACT. In addition, Teresa Kinealy and Kailey Wagner are National Merit Finalists; Mary Kabbes is a National Merit Commended Student; Elisa Hattrich is a National Hispanic Scholar; and Andrea Herman is a Missouri Top 100 Scholar and the Missouri Knights of Columbus Youth of the Year.