News Post

St. Joseph’s Academy held its traditional May Crowning ceremony followed by the annual Service Awards ceremony on May 4 in the Academy Student Center.
 
Senior Burgin Rome was chosen by her classmates, the faculty and staff to crown Mary. Also chosen to participate in the ceremony were seniors Alana Buckley, Emma Lauret, Lilly Leonard, Grace Anne Crifasi, Blake Hester, Evelyn Carley, Caroline Ruth, Ella Kate Aucoin and Virginia Rader.

SJA Principal Stacia Andricain welcomed the large gathering. She explained that the 10 seniors participating in the ceremony were chosen because they demonstrate honesty, integrity, a strong moral character, a genuine responsiveness to the needs of the dear neighbor and a commitment to their Catholic faith. 

Buckley explained that the month of May has traditionally been dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom she described as a young Jewish woman who responded so completely to God. “In many ways, Mary was like you and me, but what made her exceptional was her openness to God and to His Spirit leading her life,” she said. “Perhaps it was for this reason she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus.”

Lauret led the gathering in prayer, while Leonard, Crifasi and Hester reflected on Mary as she is portrayed in the Gospels. Carley offered a prayer, and Ruth read from the Reed of God by Caryll Houselander. Aucoin offered a prayer, then Rome crowned Mary. Rader closed the ceremony with a reading from Sister Elizabeth Johnson’s book, Truly Our Sister: A Theology of Mary in the Communion of Saints.

Following the May Crowning, Campus Minister Alise Ruch, explained that through service, we offer life-giving water to our dear neighbors. This year’s charism theme, Relationships: Sacred Threads that Connect, has guided SJA’s service endeavors to the dear neighbor.
 
More than 400 students embraced the call to servant leadership this year and were recognized with a St. Vincent de Paul Tiny Saint and holy card. Seniors who have completed four consecutive years of 50-plus hours of service will be recognized at the Honors Convocation on May 20. 

Senior Class President Caroline Ruth and senior theology teacher Timothy LaBauve called forth the 124 seniors who completed 50 service hours during 2021-2022. They volunteeed at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul, the St. Agnes Soup Kitchen and on a building site with Habitat for Humanity. They were:

Katherine Appleton
Catherine Arms
Ella Aucoin
Jillian Augustine
Caroline Aycock
Gabriela Barbin
Avery Bateman
Rebecca Bateman
Claire Blanchard
Caroline Boone
Rebecca Bordelon
Katherine Boyce
Julia Brinson
Allie Brooks
Evelyn Bryant
Jacie Budd
Caroline Cagle
Katherine Calegan
Mallory Caro
Emily Carpenter
Megan Cloutier
Mia Colbert
Constance Cook
Peggy Cotton
Camille Counce
Chloe D'Angelo
Katherine Dauzat
Haylee Deshotel
Sydney DeSoto
Vivian Dille
Camille Domangue
Aries Dove
Ava Dunn
Nina Embaugh
McCall Emonet
Blair Entremont
Samantha Evans
Grace Fabre
Reese Favaloro
Camille Ferachi
Presley Fernandez
Holly Franzo
Gifford Greer
Anne Guglielmo
Gabrielle Guichard
Sophia Guillory 
Demia Harrison
Alexis Harvey
Alexia Hasenbeck
Madison Heath
Elizabeth Hester
Lucy Hodges
Olivia Hotstream
Sophia Huffine
Camden Hull
Sophia Jatho
Chloé Khuri
Lindsey Landry
Daniela Latil
Lexi Lauff
Katherine Leake
Alyssa LeBlanc
Ava Lemoine
Hailee Lemoine
Lillian Leonard
Ashleigh Lewy
Ellen Livingston
Katie Luckett
Rebecca Magri
Julia Marinello
McCall Matt
Carly McConnell
Sadie McManus
Macen Melancon
Estelle Mensman
Abigail Mire
Heaven Morgan
Anna Musso
Alexis Napoli
Isabella Naquin
Ashlyn Neucere
Christine Ngo
Lucille Oatley
Nicole Opdyke
Emily Ordeneaux
Claire Perrault
Morgan Perry
Jossie Petite
Claire Pizzalato
Anna Plauche
Delaney Poiencot
Ellen Pryor
Virginia Rader
Lucy Richardson
Ava Riche
Gracen Rinaudo
Helena Robertson
Grace Romero
Mia Roppolo
Grace Rowley
Caroline Ruth
Kayla Sabadie
Kaitlyn Savoie
Kaitlyn Schumacher
Claire Simmons
Jordan Simoneaux
Emily Soignet
Peyton Soignet
Sarah Stenhouse
Kinley Strickland
Anya Stuart
Elle Sullivan
Grace Toler
Isabella Toncrey
Caroline Tucker
Ansley Upton
Ava Ventress
Annabel Warrington
Anna Webre
Ava Welborn
Millie Weston
Riley White
Allie Young
Paula Zapata 

Junior Class President Jennifer Nguyen and junior theology teacher Nadine Saunders recognized the 79 juniors who exceeded 50 hours of service this year. They served with the Baton Rouge Special Olympics, McMann’s Child Developmental Center, Cajun Classic Wheelchair Tennis and Miracle League. They were:

 
Emma Brooke Abadie
Emily Bailey
Juliana Barfield
Caroline Beck
Claire Beyer
Sophia Blouin
Sarah Bonner
Ella Boone
Caroline Boudreaux
Olivia Brocato
Avery Bruce
Catherine Burkhalter
Olivia Butler
Stevie Campagna
Olivia Cedotal
Anna Cooper
Susana Cuadra
Mary Dardis
Olivia DeKeyzer
Mary DeMoss
Kate Dufour
Ella Dupre
Corinne Ellis
Auldyn Faulk
Ella Fife
Alexandra Funes
Mary Elizabeth Gauthier
Marley Graves
Isabelle Gruner
Jenna Guidry
Avery Guillot
Catherine Hardouin
Maria Hargrave
Ann Harris
McKenzie Howard
Alexandra Hulse
Emma Hulse
Catherine Hultberg
Olivia Jefcoat
Olivia Judice
Elena Kelly
Alyssa Keowen
Ann Kimble
Anna Grace Kurtz
Isabella Lalonde
Emma Lanclos
Tam Le
Marie Lorio
Claudia Magee
Sophia Manuel
Meredith Martin
Eliska McMillen
Mackenzie Millet
Margaret Moe
Bonnie Nelson
Ava Nesbit
Ruby Nethercutt
Emma Neyland
Jennifer Nguyen
Avery Oubre
Khushi Patel
Evie Pickering
Grace Reynolds
Neely Rispone
Margaret Ritter
Josie Robinson
Gillian Sawyer
Susanna Shields
Shelby Soileau
Taylor Stockwell
Cecile Taylor
Katherine Thomas
Vivian Toups
Jenna Tramonte
Claire Waggenspack
Amanda Weaver
Caroline Weise
Lila Weston
Avery Yeargain 
 
Sophomore Class President Anna Foco and sophomore theology teacher Sheri Klemm recognized the 73 sophomores who dedicated 50 or more hours of service this year. They volunteered in the field of child development, education and literacy. They were: 

 
Amelia Allemond
Brynn Arena
Molly Ashworth
Ella Barker
Julia Bauer
Allaire Benedetto
Melissa Bofinger
Abigail Bourgeois
Ryan Brach
Whitney Bracken
Virginia Branstetter
Devyn Breaux
Margaret Brickey
Madeline Cannon
Addie Carmouche
Kathryn Casey
Hannah Crochet
Ellie DeCarlo
Alyse Donovan
Ellie Emonet
Charley Fernandez
Kylie Fourrier
Abby Francise
Kaitlyn Francise
Emma Griffith
Anna Guidroz
Sarah Harvey
Hanley Hidalgo
Isabella Holden
Piper Hull
Jacelyn Keller
Elizabeth Kessler
Serly Kobrossi
Anna Kouns
Aubrey LaNasa
Rocio Larenas Bustos
Sarah Lieux
Evan MacMorran
Lilly Manson
Abigail Martin
Mary Mathews
Isabelle McDermott
Qierstin Merrett
Julie Mistric
Julia Monzon
Josephine Ostrowe
Lucy Parker
Isabella Peneguy
Ellis Pierce
Addison Prochaska
Lauren Quebedeaux
Logan Ramey
Isabella Rawlinson
Audrey Rothkamm
Sophia Rutland
Maddox Saurage
Lillian Schaeffer
Julia Serpas
Katelyn Shannon
Morgan Simmons
Morgan Solis
Amilee Spillers
Kate Stockstill
Amelie Stuckey
Mary Upton
Hannah Vaughan
Josephine Viator
Stella Vincent
Macy Wascom
Anna White
Madelyn Wilson
Laura Zapata
Lily Zeringue

Freshman Class President Annabelle Sutton and freshman theology teacher Olivia Gulino recognized the 74 freshmen who dedicated 50 or more hours to serving the dear neighbor this year. They were called to visit the elderly and take care of the environment. They were: 

Grace Alford
Sela Alwood
Kate Arbour
Lola Avery
Kaitlyn Bajon
Kali Baker
Mary Beach
Charley Bergeron
Addison Bernhard
Mary Bernhardt
Anna Betts
Charli Blanchard
Isley Blanchard
Bella Bridgewater
Ainsley Brignac
Isabelle Broome
Channing Brown
Hannah Champagne
Connie Chau
Gianna Cordell
Clara Couvillion
Mariana Cuadra
Anna Camille deBlieux
Sofia Dodd
Micki Dodson
Audrey Elliott
Alysse Fee
Madeleine Ferachi
Ainsley Graves
Raegan Gravois
Elizabeth Guillot
Toni Rose Heyward
Elise Holder
Margaret Johnson 
Jaelyn Jones
Jaci Juneau
Claire Kaiser
Callista LaBauve
Sophia Lalonde
Isabelle Lieux
Briar Lott
Ella Mancuso
Zaira Mayeux
Samee McDaniel
Kaylie McKinney
Abigail Miller
Lily Mills
Maya Mindrut
Grace Nelson
Mackenzie O’Brien
Grace Olinde
Madeline Oubre
Sydney Ourso
Sara Pasquier
Molly Perry
Lillian Prescott
Blakely Prestridge
Lanna Rodrigue
Caroline Roussel
Katelyn Sasser
Nola Savoie
Haley Schnebelen
Rachel Schroeder
Nicole Shaw
Ava Silva
Camille Starkovich
Hailey Sumich
Annabelle Sutton
Darby Thompson
Katherine Toncrey
Kelly Tran
Piper Ward
Emma Webre
Emery Zeringue

Rachel Eddlestone and Valeria Galindo, Student Ambassador co-moderators, introduced Ambassador President Maddie Kate Gardiner and Vice-President Claire Perrault to announce service award recipients. During 2021-2022, Student Ambassadors worked more than 2,000 hours at school events. Especially recognized were the senior Ambassadors who met all club requirements. They were:

Ella Kate Aucoin
Gabriela Barbin
Avery Bateman
Caroline Boone
Ella Boudreaux
Katherine Boyce
Evelyn Bryant
Jacie Budd
Lillian Cambias
Alexandra Campbell
Evelyn Carley
Emily Carpenter
Mia Colbert
Constance Cook
Peggy Cotton
Camille Counce
Grace Crifasi
Lucy DeBosier
Kennedy Dicharry
Vivian Dille
Camille Domangue
Gayle Ellzey
McCall Emonet
Blair Entremont
Samantha Evans
Grace Fabre
Camille Ferachi
Holly Franzo
Madeline Gardiner
Katherine Gautreaux
Isabella Grier
Alexis Harvey
Carolyn Herman
Elizabeth Hester
Olivia Hotstream
Clair Hubbard
Camden Hull
Madeline Joffrion
Catherine Kellerman
Chloe Khuri
Daniela Latil
Lexi Lauff
Emma Lauret
Katherine Leake
Ava Lemoine
Hailee Lemoine
Sarah Lindrew
Mackenzie McCormick
Sadie McManus
Madison Morel
Isabella Naquin
Christine Ngo
Isabel Ngo
Helen Nguyen
Claire Perrault
Claire Pizzalato
Anna Plauche
Ellen Pryor
Frances Purgerson
Kamryn Reed
Lucy Richardson
Burgin Rome
Grace Romero
Mia Roppolo
Lillian Roussel
Grace Rowley
Caroline Ruth
Kaitlyn Schumacher
Caroline Scrantz
Carsyn Smith
Emily Soignet
Peyton Soignet
Elle Sullivan
Riley Talley
Grace Toler
Isabella Toncrey
Aubrey Turner
Ansley Upton
Elizabeth Usher
Ava Ventress
Ava Welborn
Millie Weston
Kristian Williams
Jemma Isabel Wood
Maeve Zelden

Student Ministry Co-moderator Lisa Lively and Student Ministry President Virginia Rader recognized members for their dedication and service to SJA. They especially recognized senior Student Ministers who met all club requirements. They were: 

Ella Kate Aucoin
Mia Colbert
Constance Cook
Marie Cotton
Vivian Dille
Karah DiVincenti
McCall Emonet
Jolee Fair
Daniela Latil
Katherine Leake
Lillian Leonard
Abigail Mire
Claire Perrault
Virginia Rader
Burgin Rome
Lillian Roussel
Caroline Ruth
Carsyn Smith
Aubrey Turner

Jill Abadie, Stacia Andricain and Lisa Knotts recognized the senior peer consultants in SJA’s Writing Center. They were:

Kate Appleton
Cate Arms
Camille Domangue 
Grace Fabre
Sophia Guillory
Chloé Khuri
Emma Lauret

Help Desk Manger Linda Hall recognized the Help Desk student technicians who serve as technology ambassadors to their teachers and fellow students. They were:

Emma Brooke Abadie
Ella Barker
Moria Gauthier
Callie LaBauve
Ryn LeBleu
Amy Liu
Macen Melancon
Abigail Miller
Lucy Richardson
Mia Seaberry
Bella Simoneaux
Kenzie Stentiford
Katie Thomas
Gabby Williamson
Katherine Winchester

STEM Lab Manager Meagan Moore recognized students who serve as technology ambassadors to members of the community by utilizing skills learned in the STEM Lab. They were: 

Kate Appleton 
Ella Barker
Virginia Bowen
Emma Britton 
Ryn LeBleu
Sarah Lieux
Macen Melancon
Alexandra Miller
Lucy Parker
Haley Pittenger
Sarah Stenhouse
Katie Toncrey
Riley White
Gabrielle Williamson

Athletic Director Dorinda Beaumont recognized newly announced finalists for the Advocate’s Star of Stars awards: the cross country team, a finalist for the Girls Team of the Year; Grace Anne Crifasi, Star of Stars for soccer; Anne Scott Guglielmo, Star of Stars for tennis; Ava Riche, a finalist for Female Athlete of the Year; and Sivi Miller, a finalist for Female Coach of the Year. They will join Maddie Kate Gardiner (cross country) and Grace Toler (volleyball) at the Athlete of the Year/Star of Stars banquet on May 23. 

Beaumont recognized the SJA softball team for its historic season, playing in the championship game for the first time in program history. She introduced Coach Amanda Henley and the softball team.

She also introduced the tennis team, coaches Jason and Tammy Noonan and faculty moderator Cindy Downs and congratulated them on their second state championship in a row. 

She also wished the track and field team good luck as they will compete for their third state championship title on May 7 at LSU. 

Senior Gabriella Hendrick closed the assembly with the singing of the Alma Mater.

Members of the choir, under the direction of Danielle Laird, lent their musical gifts to the ceremony. Aimee Urdiales was the pianist.

The livestream was produced by media coordinator Matt Smith and faculty members Meghan McGinty and Sara Rounds. Production assistants were members of the SJABR TV student organization: Abby Martin, Carly McConnell, Megan Otterstetter, Madeline Lemoine, Elise Holder and Lillian Prescott.

 

Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director

Photos by Jennifer M. Fontaine