Ursuline Academy proudly celebrated the graduation of 68 young women from the Class of 2026 during Commencement Exercises held on Sunday, May 31, 2026. Family, friends, faculty, staff, trustees, and alumnae recognized the graduates for their academic achievements, leadership, service, and commitment to the Ursuline mission. Throughout the ceremony, sisterhood stood out as a central theme.
Valedictorian and Medal of Excellence awardee Mairead Gero addressed her classmates, reflecting on the bonds formed throughout their Ursuline experience. She remarked, “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to grow up as a part of this group of 68 sisters… I am so thankful to be forever tied to you all in such a special way by such a special place.”
Salutatorian and Medal of Honor awardee Carly Tarantola spoke about the importance of the Ursuline community, saying, “The Ursuline sisterhood is not something to take for granted; it’s something that will stay with you long after today, even when life gets busy, messy, and unpredictable.”
The commencement address, delivered by Alison Leed Dybes ’97, PhD, a Senior Group Leader of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Broad Institute, challenged students to “find solutions” and “stand up for what is right.” Dybes reminded the graduates that the Ursuline motto—Serviam (I will serve)—is “much needed in this world.” She reassured them of their ability to make a difference, saying, “Your Ursuline sisters from every generation have your back.”
Before concluding the ceremony, Kate Levesque ’77 presented Jimena Granados with the Sister Mercedes Videira Award for reflecting the qualities of an Ursuline woman embodied by the beloved former Principal and Mairead Gero with the Serviam Award, which recognizes outstanding traits of leadership, awareness, responsibility, and academic achievement. In her final remarks, Levesque noted that the graduation marked the 80th commencement for the school and reinforced the strong Ursuline tradition that the graduates now carry forward.
Members of the Class of 2026 were also recognized through an award ceremony at the Baccalaureate Mass at Saint Susanna Church on Saturday evening. These awards highlighted excellence in academics, service, ministry, the arts, and athletics. The recipients included Chelsea Adams, Melissa Federico, Mairead Gero, Phoebe Hamn, Victoria Higgins, Alison Irving, Grace Jean, Joanne Keefe, Sandra Keir, Roisin Kelley-Heafitz, Caroline Kisgen, Brianna Li, Katherine MacAulay, Casey McManus, Lauren Meyers, Lucy Mulcunry, Melanie Nauta, Emilia Org, Meera Raskin, Carly Tarantola, Chloe Uribarri, and Acadia Zangi.
Ursuline’s Class of 2026 has earned acceptance to a wide range of colleges and universities, including Vanderbilt University, University of Notre Dame, Bowdoin College, Vassar College, McGill University, and University of St. Andrews, among many others. These accomplished young women also completed thousands of hours of community service during their time at Ursuline Academy.
Ursuline is incredibly proud of each and every graduate and offers its enthusiastic congratulations to the Class of 2026!
