Class of 2022, we bid you adieu

Published in the Fall 2022 issue of Inscape

On Sunday, May 15, Mother McAuley graduated 210 women in the graduating Class of 2022 at the Shannon Center located on the campus of Saint Xavier University. This graduating class joins more than 28,500 alumnae of Mother McAuley. 

Thank you, Jennifer Costello Fortner ‘94, honored alumna speaker, for sharing your wisdom and stories with the Class of 2022. Jenny was the Salutatorian for the Class of 1994, so it was a full-circle moment for her to come back and speak in front of this graduating class. Jenny referenced her Salutatorian address in her speech, and guided the students in packing an imaginary suit-case as they leave McAuley and enter college; including bringing “grace”, “grit”, and “gratitude”. She left them with the advice to BE FEARLESS and a quote from our foundress Catherine McAuley, “I have great confidence in you to do what you think best. State your opinion and always act with courage.” 

Maggie Nolan ‘22, pictured with twin sister Rosie Nolan ‘22, received the Sister Brian Costello Scholarship Award and gave a reflection at the Baccalaureate Mass. Maggie is attending Marquette University and attended Christ the King.

Thea Bueno ‘22, Valedictorian, had the overall highest GPA in the Class of 2022. Thea gave her final farewell and well wishes to her class in her valedic-torian address. Thea is attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and attended Cardinal Bernadin. 

Abigail Poppish ‘22, Salutatorian, introduced Ms. Kelsey O’Brien, the Faculty Speaker. Abigail is attending The University of Alabama and attended St. John Fisher.

The graduating seniors elected Cece Antonietti ‘22 as the student speaker. Cece is attending the University of Kansas and attended Christ the King. 

Infused in the liberal arts, Mother McAuley’s academic  curriculum centralizes on six key interdisciplinary skills found throughout all disciplines – from Science and Math to English and World Languages to Music and the Visual Arts. The graduating seniors with the 11 Highest Honors are:

Virginia Brennan ‘22  
The University of Iowa
(Most Holy Redeemer)

Thea Bueno ‘22
Valedictorian
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
(Cardinal Bernadin)

Samantha Conjar ‘22
The University of Tennessee
(Christ the King)

Molly Dart ‘22  
Cornell University
(Queen of Martyrs)

Olivia Harris ‘22
Marquette University
(St. John Fisher)

Annie Justic ‘22  
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
(Christ the King)

Gianna Kmak ‘22
University of Miami
Queen of Martyrs)

Abigail Manos ‘22
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
(Noonan Elementary Academy)

Madeline Obrzut ‘22
University of Southern California
(St. Linus)

Abigail Poppish ‘22 Salutatorian
The University of Alabama
(St. John Fisher)

Evelyn Rowan ‘22
University of Illinois  Urbana-Champaign
(St. Cajetan)