The Mount St. Mary Academy Class of 2025 received their diplomas and officially graduated from high school during this year’s Commencement Ceremony on Monday, May 19, at Robinson Center in downtown Little Rock. Per tradition, the young women wore white gowns and long gloves, and carried a single red rose, as they processed in through an audience of family members and friends and onto the stage.
The 120 graduates, admitted to 131 colleges and universities, collectively received more than $17.7 million in scholarship offerings and will be attending 38 different institutions of higher education across 18 states this fall. Additionally, this year’s graduating class completed nearly 15,000 hours of community service for the greater Little Rock community during its junior and senior years.
Bridgitte Williams Newson ’85, entrepreneur and executive assistant to Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., delivered the commencement address. In keeping with the evening’s theme of important life lessons, Mrs. Newson offered the graduates a few “pearls of wisdom” – as her first band director at Mount called them – of her own. She encouraged the young women on the stage to never be afraid to use their voice to advocate for what’s right; to turn every lemon into lemonade by transforming challenges into opportunities; and to embrace a “yes” mindset in order to unlock the doors to their future. “If you have not heard anything else that I have said tonight, hear this,” she said. “The world doesn’t just need you – it’s waiting for you! So go out there and give it your boldest voice, your most courageous yes and your fiercest lemonade.”
Mrs. Newson was introduced by Fourth Honor Graduate Lauren Halter. Fifth Honor Graduate Elizabeth Gipson offered the invocation, and Third Honor Graduates Bella Angtuaco and Mady Reyes presented the class essay, “Question of the Day.” The salutatory address, “Wear Your Sunscreen,” was given by Second Honor Graduate Ann Marie Nguyen, and the valedictory address, “That’s Life in the Big City,” was given by First Honor Graduates Mary Claire Lasseter and Eva Pownall.
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor presented the diplomas as MSM Head of School Sara Jones and MSM Assistant Head of School Robin Johnson announced each graduate, her honors and the college she will attend. The three were joined on stage by Theresa Goshen Hall ’78, Arkansas Catholic Schools superintendent, and Donna Chachere ’83, MSM Academy Board of Directors chair. The evening concluded with graduates singing the alma mater together one final time as a class.
Congratulations, Class of 2025! We celebrate you and look forward to seeing all you continue to accomplish as women of wisdom, compassion and integrity.
