The Academy of the Sacred Heart celebrated the 41 members of the Class of 2022 in a graduation ceremony held on Friday, May 27, 2022, in the front courtyard of the St. Charles Avenue school. Diplomas were presented by Head of School Micheline Dutil and Upper School Division Head Julie Boyd.

Larry DeMarcay, Board of Trustees Chair, offered closing remarks and congratulated the seniors on being the 135th graduating class from the Academy of the Sacred Heart. A Baccalaureate Mass was celebrated on May 23, 2022, with graduates and their families in the chapel on the Rosary Campus.

Olivia Hopkins Finch is the valedictorian for the Class of 2022.

Throughout her 15 years at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, she has been recognized with multiple honors for her impressive academic performance and school & community leadership.

During her time at Sacred Heart, Olivia was a program head for the Peer Support program, a Tres Bien Society member, a National Honor Society member and tutor and participated in the Virtual Exchange Program, Mock Trial, Yearbook and Quiz Bowl. Olivia was recognized as a National Merit Finalist and is a 2022 United States Presidential Scholars Program Candidate. She was also honored with the Mother Soniat Award, given to a French student who has demonstrated proficiency in French and a love for the language and culture.

Outside of the classroom, Olivia is the Founder and Co-President of “Full Hearts Full Tummies” initiative; coordinating food procurement and distribution drives. She has worked with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Grace at the Green Light, Second Harvest Food Bank, and the NOLA Tree Project. She enjoyed exploring the world through Sacred Heart’s Global Exchange program, having visited our sister school in Vienna, Austria.

Olivia is the daughter of Valeria and Allen Finch. She will attend Rice University. 

We asked Olivia, “What would you like to say to your younger ASH sisterhood?” She answered, “I vividly remember sitting on the lower-school playground in 2012 and thinking about how long ten years seemed. This past decade flew by faster than I ever could have imagined. Treasure your time at Sacred Heart. Find the joy in everything, even the difficult assignments.”

Ashley Ellis is the salutatorian for the Class of 2022.

In addition to receiving numerous accolades for academic excellence over her 15 years attending the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Ashley has demonstrated strong leadership qualities, a love of athletics, and a desire to serve her community. 

Ashley qualified in both State and District Rally and received the Bausch and Lomb Science Award. Ashley was a driven teammate and manager of the Varsity Sacred Heart Soccer team. She participated in the Johns Hopkins Psychological Profiling course and Tulane’s Camp Neuro. Ashley has been published through Horizon Academic studying Neurodegenerative Diseases. Ashley received the Alton Ochsner Future Physician Award; an award given to a student who has excelled in math and science and has the potential qualities of an outstanding physician. 

Outside of the classroom, Ashley has been active in her community, through her volunteer service with Relay for Life, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and University Medical Center. Ashley is the President and Founder of NOLA Birthday Boxes Club, bringing birthday gifts to those at the Chateau Assisted Living Facility. She enjoyed exploring the world through Sacred Heart’s Global Exchange program, having visited our sister school in Vienna, Austria.

Ashley Ellis is the daughter of Kelly and Bill Ellis and will attend Washington and Lee University. 

We asked Ashley, “What would you like to say to your younger ASH sisterhood?” She answered with, “Don’t take any moments with your friends and family for granted, even the ones that seem bad in the moment. You will cherish them all as either fond memories or critical life experiences eventually.”

Sacred Heart honors its graduates.

Graduating with highest honors: Patricia R. Aucoin, Lillian C. Balart, Devron B. Barreca, Olivia Boyd, Lyden H. Bland, Juliette L. Camenzuli, Veronica E. Camenzuli, Cécile R. Curran, Anna G. Dreiling, Ashley C. Ellis, Olivia H. Finch, Grace R. Gootee, Madeline F. Kessels, Katherine M. Kleehammer, Claire E. Knecht, Sloane A. Paysse, Hailey R. Sisung, Madison E. Stone, Helen C. Thompson, Katherine A. Wise

Graduating with high honors: Catherine R. Bonura, Alice Lane R. Calhoun, Geneviève A. Doucet, Angelica C. Ekenta, Margaret P. Ellis, Susan A. Le Clercq, Catherine C. Martin, Tatiana K. McNutt, Isabella B. Pitt, Camille A. Sewell

Graduating with honors: Izabella Erazo, Fenner E. French, Marian E. Graffagnini, Sophia Y. Nawaz, Kathleen B. Ready, McCall C. Schlosser, Sarah J. Williams

Also graduating: Nana Ekua A. Commey, Phylis M. Gagliano, Julianne Q. Good, Elizabeth L. Stouse