News Post

St. Joseph’s Academy honored the class of 2026 at the 60th annual Honors Convocation, held May 15 in the Academy Student Center. The evening celebration was sponsored by the faculty and alumnae of SJA.

President Jan Rhorer Breen welcomed the soon-to-be graduates and their families, saying the members of the class embraced their four years at SJA with sanctity, joy and action. “They have cared for their dear neighbor, cheered for each other, forgiven one another, prayed for each other, explored new frontiers and challenged themselves and others to achieve, to dream and to serve,” she said. 

Mission Integration Director Jade Spears introduced the graduating class as they were escorted across the stage. Senior Camille Cotton offered the opening prayer. 

Victoria Funes, a 2020 SJA graduate and member of the SJA Alumnae Association board, inducted the members of the class of 2026 into the Alumnae Association and said the red roses they received from the Alumnae Association symbolize their union with 11,870 SJA graduates to date. “This evening, the alumnae of the Academy around the world warmly welcome you, the 149th graduating class,” she said. “May your new endeavors always be inspired by sanctity, filled with joy and guided by faith-filled action.” 

Assistant Dean of Women Brianna Sommers announced the senior class favorites: Gracie Mann, most athletic; Allison Riley, most likely to succeed; Jane Templet, most school spirit; Molly Kate Skupien, most talented; Camille Masterson, best personality; Louisa deBlieux, most witty; Hattie Boone, most friendly; Tiana Khuri, most studious; and Sophia Montalbano, best all around. 

Sommers called forth the seniors who contributed 50 or more hours of service to the dear neighbor during each of their four years at SJA. They were Giulia Arion, Lilly Blanchard, Adeline Bonner, Hattie Boone, Jenna Braud, Grace Buras, Caroline Burkhalter, Sheridyn Carr, Aliki Charalambous, Chloe Gaudin Christophe, Claire Ann Chustz, Addison Comeaux, Camille Cotton, Anna Craig, Linley Denstel, Ava Doucet, Olivia Funes, Emma Herpin, Kaylie Hollis, Caroline Hultberg, Lucy Jimenez, Tiana Khuri, Sydney Frances Kline, Amelia Lalonde, Olivia LaMotte, Claire Lanclos, Julia Mayeux, Claire McGuinness, Kelly Messenger, Molly Milligan, Sophia Montalbano, Kennedy Papillion, Elise Parrish, Gretchen Payne, Jalaysia Queen, Mary Virginia Richards, Allison Riley, Juliana Robillard, Sarah Schmeeckle, Mia Schwing, Annie Tanory, Jane Templet, Ava Thevenot, Clare Valluzzo, Cameron Wilkinson, Lizzie Williams, Ainsley Wimberley, Madison Word and Avery Yates.

Also recognized were the students chosen by their classmates and faculty to crown Mary at the annual May Crowning ceremony earlier this spring: Elizabeth Bertucci, Adeline Bonner, Hattie Boone, Jenna Braud, Louisa deBlieux, Linley Denstel, Olivia Funes, Tiana Khuri, Camille Masterson and Annie Tanory.

Dean of Curriculum and Instruction Melissa Brocato announced the winners of SJA’s four major athletic awards. Tiana Khuri received the SJA Scholar-Athlete Award for academic excellence and athletic success. Emmy Neumann received the Sister Ursula Harelson Award, given to an outstanding student and dedicated athlete who is hard-working, selfless, competitive yet humble. Amelia LaLonde was named the recipient of the Sherri Troxclair Award for courage, determination and perseverance in overcoming obstacles while excelling in sports and making major contributions to the school community. Audren Manda was named the SJA Outstanding Athlete for excellence in sports and for being both a strong leader and role model for her peers. 

Brocato announced the recipients of the Distinguished Quality Awards for 2025-2026. Hattie Boone received the Medaille Outstanding Classmate Award as the outstanding member of the class of 2026. Annie Tanory received the Downtown Kiwanis Courtesy Award, voted on by the senior class and given to the senior who is considerate and respectful of others’ thoughts and feelings. The award was presented by Rick Lipscomb, president of the Kiwanis Club of Baton Rouge. Jenna Braud was given the American Legion Award, voted by her classmates on the principles of courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service to God and the community. The award was presented by Frank Muscarello and his wife, Dawn.

Sophia Montalbano was awarded the Knights of Columbus Patriotic Award, given to a senior who exemplifies the qualities of hard work in academics, love of God and country and patriotic actions in her daily life. The award was presented by Admiral David Goldsmith and his wife, Carol. Louisa deBlieux received the Breaking Barriers Grant, established by Laureen Callo ’83 and given to a senior planning to attend an out-of-state school and pursue a major that has not been traditional for women. The award is given to a senior with a demonstrated record of academic and co-curricular achievement and a commitment to service.

Recipients of SJA’s special memorial awards were announced. Caroline Burkhalter was named the winner of the Kirstin Elizabeth “Libby” Honoré Memorial Award, given to a graduating senior demonstrating the qualities and spirit of Libby: compassionate, fun loving, hardworking and scholarly. The award was presented by Libby’s parents, Nicole and Byron Honoré, and her sister, Dr. Lauryn Honoré ’17.
    
Edie Crow received the Allison Grace Honeycutt Memorial Award, given to a senior known for her gentle, caring manner and free-spirited approach to life and who loves working with young children. The award was presented by Allison’s parents, Blayne and Valerie (Plaisance ’79) Honeycutt. 

Camille Masterson was the recipient of the Courtney Myshrall Memorial Award, voted on by the senior class and given to a senior who is kindhearted, nonjudgmental and whose outgoing nature and joy for life touch those around her. The award was established by Courtney’s parents, Steve and Sharon (Schexnayder ’69) Myshrall and presented by Sharon and her grandson, Keller Piner.

Sydney Frances Kline received the Jeannette Svendson Memorial Award, given to a senior who exemplifies love and kindness, who is always positive and who is filled with appreciation for life. The recipient also lifts the spirits of those around her, as did Jeannette, a 1966 graduate, who was tragically lost in an automobile accident shortly after graduation. The award was presented by Jeannette’s brothers, Jeffery, Martin and Lawrence Svendson. 

Allison Riley received the Frank and Maria Bologna Award, given to the senior selected by the faculty as the hardest-working student. The award, given in recognition of the honoree’s diligence and willingness to work hard, is presented each year by Re Bologna DiVincenti, class of 1971, and her husband, David, daughter and son-in-law of Frank and Cookie Bologna. 

Olivia Funes received the Greco Family Service Award in recognition of her generous service to the school, her classmates, community and the faculty. The award is given in memory of Cyrus A. and Len R. Greco, class of 1930, and Carmela Greco Collins, class of 1969. Family member Carroll Beauregard Benedetto ’80 presented the award. 

Brocato recognized the 91 seniors who will be awarded the Seal of Biliteracy. These students successfully completed a level four foreign language course and earned qualifying scores on the English and reading sections of the ACT. In French, they were Caroline Babin, Lilly Blanchard, Adeline Bonner, Hattie Boone, Skylar Bordelon, Jenna Braud, Sheridyn Carr, Hayley Cavalier, Evelyn Christofferson, Claire Ann Chustz, Kendall Dailey, Louisa deBlieux, Victoria Dekeyzer, Paityn DeLaughter, Sophie Farah, Caroline Gordon, Kaylie Hollis, Jill Joffrion, Yvonne Kasongo, Caroline Keyser, Tiana Khuri, Leslie Kleinpeter, Angela Le, Evie LeBlanc, Audrey Lemoine, Sophia Marionneaux, Georgia Martin, Grace Martin, Camille Masterson, Julia Mayeux, Claire McGuinness, Molly Mouton, Elise Parrish, Gretchen Payne, Charlotte Rabb, Caroline Rahm, Bella Rice, Addison Richard, Lorelei Robinson, Maddie Seely, Izzy Stelly, Ann Stocker, Annie Tanory, Jane Templet, Madeline Thorne, Kathryn Trahan, Aimee Usher, Clare Valluzzo and Ava Waggenspack. In Latin, they were Elizabeth Bertucci, Claire Brooks, Grace Buras, Rowan Christensen, Edie Crow, Madeline DeSilva, Sydney Gomez, Emily Guillet, Sarah Lindsay, Juliana Robillard, Ella Santa Ana, Zoe Woodroffe and Madison Word. In Spanish, they were Giulia Arion, Kate Barrilleaux, Brinkley Bennett, Claire Bodin, Caroline Burkhalter, Mia Carlson, Addison Comeaux, Linley Denstel, Camille Funes, Chloe Gaudin Christophe, Eliza Hanner, Lucy Jimenez, Amelia Lalonde, Olivia LaMotte, Audrey Manda, Kelly Messenger, Sophia Montalbano, Kate Mooney, Cameron Raines, Maddie Rambo, Allison Riley, Ava Rounds, Sarah Schmeeckle, Ava Thevenot, Caroline Thomas, Isabella Vargas, Addison Wampold, Cameron Wilkinson and Zayda Zeringue. 

Also recognized were the outstanding students in each subject area. They were Sarah Gordon, Art achievement; Ava Doucet, Art service; Lucy Walsh, Band achievement; Kate Mooney, Band service; Allison Riley, Chorus achievement; Sophia Stelly, Chorus service; Ryann Johnson, Dance achievement; Nola Adams, Dance service; Louisa deBlieux, English; Lily Fitzgerald, FACS achievement; Greysen Millet, FACS service; Amelia Scioneaux, Health and Physical Education and Theology; Lily DeCarlo, Mathematics and Technology service; Madeline Holder, Media Arts achievement; Izzy Stelly, Media Arts service; Lucy Walsh, Science; Sophia Montalbano, Social Studies; Bree Parms, Technology achievement; Cecilia Hanemann, Theater achievement; Janie Elliott, Theater service; Molly Mouton, French; Madison Word, Latin; and Claire Bodin, Spanish.

Also recognized were the students who earned second academics for maintaining a 3.3-3.599 cumulative grade point average throughout their SJA years. They were Allison Adams, Eleanor Alexander, Davis Aucoin, Leila Barroso, Claire Bourgeois, Camille Cotton, Becca Dardis, Paityn DeLaughter, Bailey Dupree, Bella Emonet, Carson Gasser, Dru Hairford, Madilyn Harrison, Soleil Joseph, Marlee Maranto, Wren Marchand, Ivy May, Kate McCann, Kylie Mire, Rebecca Nastasi, Madison Plauche, Jalaysia Queen, Lucy Roussel, Ava Schoen, Mia Schwing and Avery Yates.

Earning first academics standing for grade point averages of 3.6 to 5.0 during their high school years were Nola Adams, Kate Barrilleaux, Elizabeth Bertucci, Lauren Bonney, Skylar Bordelon, Elizabeth Bourg, Reese Brach, Olivia Brackins, Claire Brooks, Grace Buras, Annie Burr, Claire Canova, Mia Carlson, Sheridyn Carr, Alex Carter, Aliki Charalambous, Evelyn Christofferson, Amelia Chustz, Lily Clark, Evie Comeaux, Amelie Covell, Edie Crow, Victoria Dekeyzer, Madeline DeSilva, Kate Dornier, Bella DuBos, Nealey Estave, Lily Fitzgerald, Olivia Funes, Linde Gautreau, Madison Gilley, Ava Grizzaffi, Lauren Guillory, Kate Gutowski, Cecilia Hanemann, Hannah Hebert, Hadley Henderson, Charli Huffine, Leslie Kleinpeter, Sydney Frances Kline, Tatum Kopfinger, Mary Beth Kurtz, Claire Lanclos, Reese Landry, Tarryn Laquerre, Madison Larussa, Annabelle LeBlanc, Shelby Lenguyen, Mary Elizabeth Macdonell, Gracie Mann, Sophia Marionneaux, Georgia Martin, Tallulah Martin, Danielle Mistric, Kate Mooney, Caroline Morris, Graceyn Nadeau, Emmy Neumann, Camryn Odle, Ann Corinne Ourso, Reese Ourso, Avery Papania, Bree Parms, Cecilia Pickering, Adalee Pickett, Caroline Rahm, Cameron Raines, Maddie Rambo, Mary Virginia Richards, Lorelei Robinson, Ella Santa Ana, Hannah Schiro, Jacqueline Schroeder, Amelia Scioneaux, Maddie Seely, Ella Shortt, Eleanor Iris Stafford, Izzy Stelly, Ann Stocker, Mila Tabor, Madeline Thorne, Alice Toews, Aimee Usher, Isabella Vargas, Natalie Welsh, Hollis Wendell, Lizzie Williams, Kelsey Williams, Charlotte Wood, Kira Woodroffe, Zoe Woodroffe, Janie Young and Zayda Zeringue.

Dean of Academics Aubrey DeJohn announced the 35 students receiving the Principal’s Award for earning all As for semester grades in every class taken over four years. Recipients were Lilly Blanchard, Claire Bodin, Jenna Braud, Hayley Cavalier, Rowan Christensen, Claire Ann Chustz, Lily Clark, Anna Craig, Lily DeCarlo, Linley Denstel, Janie Elliott, Olivia Funes, Caroline Gordon, Sarah Guidroz, Eliza Hanner, Kaylie Hollis, Charli Huffine, Jill Joffrion, Tiana Khuri, Leslie Kleinpeter, Evie LeBlanc, Audrey Manda, Grace Martin, Claire McGuinness, Sophia Montalbano, Charlotte Rabb, Bella Rice, Allison Riley, Sarah Schmeeckle, Jane Templet, Ava Waggenspack, Lucy Walsh, Hollis Wendell, Ainsley Wimberley and Madison Word.

Students earning honors diplomas maintained a minimum 3.8 cumulative GPA while taking at least 11 weighted courses during the past four years. They were Giulia Arion, Caroline Babin, Lilly Blanchard, Claire Bodin, Adeline Bonner, Hattie Boone, Jenna Braud, Caroline Burkhalter, Hayley Cavalier, Rowan Christensen, Claire Ann Chustz, Addison Comeaux, Anna Craig, Kendall Dailey, Louisa deBlieux, Lily DeCarlo, Linley Denstel, Ava Doucet, Janie Elliott, Sophie Farah, Camille Funes, Sydney Gomez, Caroline Gordon, Sarah Gordon, Sarah Guidroz, Emily Guillet, Eliza Hanner, Madeline Holder, Kaylie Hollis, Lucy Jimenez, Jill Joffrion, Yvonne Kasongo, Mia Kennedy, Caroline Keyser, Tiana Khuri, Amelia Lalonde, Olivia LaMotte, Angela Le, Sophia Le, Evie LeBlanc, Sarah Lindsay, Amelia Losavio, Audrey Manda, Grace Martin, Camille Masterson, Julia Mayeux, Claire McGuinness, Kelly Messenger, Sophia Montalbano, Anna Clare Parker, Elise Parrish, Gretchen Payne, Ella Peek, Charlotte Rabb, Bella Rice, Allison Riley, Juliana Robillard, Sarah Schmeeckle, Mackenzie Shannon, Molly Kate Skupien, Sophia Stelly, Annie Tanory, Jane Templet, Ava Thevenot, Caroline Thomas, Kathryn Trahan, Clare Valluzzo, Ava Waggenspack, Lucy Walsh, Addison Wampold, Cameron Wilkinson, Ainsley Wimberley and Madison Word.

Also announced were the recipients of the President’s Scholar award, which recognizes the top academic students in class based on grades, cumulative GPA, courses completed and work ethic. They were Claire Bodin, Eliza Hanner, Tiana Khuri, Grace Martin, Claire McGuinness, Sophia Montalbano, Charlotte Rabb, Ava Waggenspack and Lucy Walsh.

Announced were the honors diploma students who were the highest academic achievers based on the criteria set forth in the SJA handbook. The salutatorians for this year were Tiana Khuri and Sophia Montalbano. Recognized as the valedictorian for the class of 2026 was Eliza Hanner.

Principal Stacia Andricain congratulated the graduating seniors for being leaders who inspire the future with their talent, creative spirit and love of the dear neighbor. “We have watched you grow in the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph to become women for others,” she said. “Cherish the life-long relationships you have formed at SJA, but always remember that God lives in the center of your lives and continue to nurture your relationship with Him.”

Jane Templet offered the closing prayer, and Evie LeBlanc ended the evening with the singing of the Alma Mater.