Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart Class of 2016 Graduation

The reputation of Sacred Heart schools across the globe precedes itself. But one characteristic that Duchesne prides itself in distinguishing itself from other similarly religious schools is its reverence for tradition and its adherence to elegance, which Friday night’s ceremony was nothing short of. Deep pink tapestry hung from the ceiling of the sprawling white tent in which the celebration took place, the color of Mater Admirabilis, the mother of the Sacred Heart. The Class of 2016 processed in uniform elegance across the stage as they took their seats overlooking the dozens of rows of beaming parents, relatives and friends.

Head of School Patricia Swenson opened the evening with a few kind words to those who made the journey to this long awaited day so incredibly seamless: the teachers, faculty and staff who made Duchesne such a supportive and intellectually enriching environment, and the parents of the Senior Class who were there for the late nights and moments of panic as we approach the uncharted territory of our future.

After each of the graduates had received their diploma, the Senior Class valedictorian, Daniela Maarraoui, gave an eloquently delivered commencement speech paying tribute to the unprecedented diversity of our class and the invaluable lessons we will each take with us from our time at Duchesne as we go out into the world as women of the Sacred Heart.

I know that I speak for more than just myself when I say that each young woman in the Duchesne Class of 2016 will be forever indebted to the school and all those who made this irreplicable Sacred Heart education possible. Cheers to the most recent class to graduate from Duchesne, and best of luck to those to follow!