Class of 2006 year-end activities culminate with graduation

In keeping with tradition, senior year-end activities began with an Arbor Day Celebration when the graduating class planted a tree on the Lauralton Hall campus; the Class of 2006 contributed a Japanese maple. The Senior Retreat followed, taking place at Mercy Center in Madison.

Senior Class Awards Night was next on the calendar, taking place in the school’s Claven Auditorium on May 24. Some very special honors bestowed on members of the Class of 2006 include the following: Emily Sanchez of Easton and Mary Albano of Trumbull were honored with the Connecticut Arts Award for musically, artistically and academically gifted students. The award was given by Connecticut Art Society at a dinner this spring. Mary Albano and Katherine O’Connell of Fairfield were both awarded Connecticut Association of Secondary Schools certificates for leadership. Corie Halasz of Milford was honored with the United States Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award for excellence in both academics and athletics. This award was presented to Corie by Sergeant Burkes of the United States Army. Nicole Seawright of Stratford received the National Association of Secondary School Principal's Leadership Award based on her participation in service organizations, academic achievements and strong leadership skills. 

On June 1 the Alumnae Executive Board hosted a luncheon to announce the Class of 2006 class agents and the Senior Class officers presented the school with the Class of 2006 gift, a financial contribution to the Music Department. This gift was chosen by the class since many of the students in the Class of 2006 were members of the Advanced Vocal Ensemble and Concert Choir and were active in drama and theater. The Graduation Liturgy, for graduates and their parents, will was held on the afternoon of June 3 in the chapel. Reverend Thomas F. Lynch from St. James Church of Stratford celebrated the Mass.

Commencement Exercises for the 123 members of the Class of 2006 were held on Sunday morning, June 4 in the gymnasium. The 25th and 50th reunion classes took part in the commencement processional. President Barbara C. Griffin presented the diplomas and both she and Eileen Dooling, RSM, Regional President of the Sisters of Mercy, Lauralton Hall’s sponsoring institution, offered remarks during the Commencement Exercises.

Sara Brennan, daughter of Brian and Virginia Brennan of Monroe, is the 2006 Valedictorian and thus delivered the Valedictory Address at Commencement. Sara will attend Dartmouth College in the fall, where she plans to explore the fields of International Relations and Physics and to minor in French. The dedication that Sara brings to her studies is truly remarkable. Throughout her four years at Lauralton she chose a very challenging AP and honors course of studies, taking all the AP courses that her schedule would allow, culminating in a phenomenal 101.66 grade point average. For her academic excellence she was named a National Merit Scholar Finalist this year. At the school’s Senior Award Ceremony held in May, Sara received countless awards, including the History and French medals, the Bishop Peter Rosazza Award given to a graduating student who, in the opinion of the faculty, has manifested Christian compassion through humble and joyful service to others and the Lezotte Award, voted on by her classmates as best typifying Lauralton ideals. Outside the classroom Sara spends her time giving back to her school and home communities. During the 2005-2006 school year Sara served as the President of the Lauralton Hall chapter of the National Honor Society, President of the Environmental Club, Secretary/ Treasurer of the French Club, Co-Captain of the Varsity Math Team and was a member of the Student Council. She is an active member of the Sr. Jude Youth Group, teaching at the church’s Vacation Bible School and volunteering her time to their many service projects. Sara is an outstanding student and exceptional young woman and receives high praise from one faculty member, “Sara leads with natural grace. She is a clear leader, not by voice and sheer volume but by commitment and example. Whatever Sara does, the girls follow.”

Alyssa Reyes, daughter of Carlos and Migdalia Reyes of Stratford, is the 2006 Salutatorian and delivered the Salutatory Address. Alyssa will matriculate at Yale University in the fall where she has been chosen as The Yale Club of New Haven’s M. Albert Geib Scholar. Her course of study is biomedical engineering. An honors and AP student throughout her four years at Lauralton, Alyssa was involved in a number of extra curricular activities. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Vice President of the Student Council, co-captain of the varsity Math Team, President of the Mock Trial Team, President of the Spanish Club, Treasurer of the Jane Austen Club and a peer tutor.  Alyssa was also a member of the Indoor Track and Outdoor Track and Field teams and the Advanced Vocal Ensemble. Alyssa maintained high honors each semester while at Lauralton Hall. She was honored with a number of awards--she was named a National Merit Scholar Finalist, received the Math medal, Bausch and Lomb & Xerox Company Award for Excellence in the Study of Science, Kodak Young Leader Award, Harvard University Book Award, National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar Award and five NASSP Citizenship Awards. In addition to her many activities Alyssa also finds time to volunteer every Saturday at Milford Hospital and every summer at the Sterling House Day Camp in Stratford. Alyssa has been named the New Haven Register Youth of the Year. One of Alyssa’s teachers shares, “Alyssa shines on every level. When I look at her, I see such promise. I see a young woman who will bring honor to herself, her family and to Lauralton. I would characterize her as a true leader; it is abundantly obvious that Alyssa is the person that the rest of the class looks to take the initiative and guide them.”

Sarah VanDine, daughter of David VanDine and the late Marilyn VanDine of Stratford, was awarded, by the Board of Trustees of the school, the school’s highest honor, the Catherine McAuley Award, named for the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy. Sarah was chosen for this award for her commitment to the mission of Lauralton Hall, living the Gospel and Mercy values as a Christian woman, for having an evident value system that responds to the needs of others with compassion, courage and genuine graciousness, her volunteerism to the school and community, her sound academic performance and positive image as a Lauralton Hall student.  Sarah was also awarded several other honors at the school’s award ceremony in May.  She received a certificate for her participation in Student Council, as she served as Treasurer during the 2005-2006 school year, a Service to the Music Department Award and the National Honor Society Spirit Award.  While at Lauralton, she was an active member of the National Honor Society, Advanced Vocal Ensemble, Student Council, Freshman Mentor Program and Peer Tutor Program.   Additionally, Sarah is committed to volunteering in her community and is a certified Life Guard and currently training as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician in the town of Stratford. A member of the Lauralton Hall faculty had this to say, “Sarah simply lives her life doing and being above and beyond expectation. Simultaneously, she is a joy to know.” 

Members of The Class of 2006 were accepted to more than 150 colleges and universities including Boston College, Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, College of the Holy Cross, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Fordham University, Georgetown University, Harvard College, Loyola University of Chicago, Marquette University, McGill University, New York University, Princeton University, Sarah Lawrence College, Syracuse University, Tufts University, Tulane University, University of Notre Dame, Villanova University and Yale University.     

“Our success is the result of assessing each individual’s strengths and matching the whole personality to the personality of the college,” explains Constance Tallman, Director of Guidance. One hundred percent of the class will continue their education. 

A reception on the Lauralton grounds for graduates, family members and guests was hosted by mothers of members of the junior class immediately following the commencement ceremony. A reception for the 25th and 50th Reunion Classes was hosted by the Alumnae Executive Board in the mansion. 

The Senior Class Officers for 2006 were President Nicole Seawright of Stratford, Vice President Lauren Kaszuba of Shelton, Secretary Katherine O’Connell of Fairfield and Treasurer Ashley Pannese of Trumbull. The Student Council President, also a graduating senior, was Mary Albano of Trumbull.   

The 2005-2006 school year marked the school’s 100th anniversary, “A Century of Women.”  The class of 2006 is the 100th graduating class of the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall and its commencement exercises served as the official closing of the school’s Centennial year.