Notre Dame awards 99 diplomas, presents awards

With proud parents, grandparents, friends and more looking on, 99 young men and women graduated from Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish at ceremonies held after Baccalaureate Mass held at 9 a.m., Friday, May 15, at Our Lady of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Church Point.
The graduates and their guests were greeted by the faculty of the high school as they entered for the processional at Our Lady of Sacred Heart with their parents.
Most Rev. Bishop Michael Jarrell from the Diocese of Lafayette served as main celebrant of the Mass. Assisting Jarrell Friday morning were Rev. Jason Vidrine of Sacred Heart Church in Ville Platte as master of ceremonies and Deacon Michael Tramel as deacon of the Mass.
Concelebrating the Mass were Msgr. Jeff DeBlanc, Our Lady of Sacred Heart (Church Point) and vicar for the West Region of the Diocese of Lafayette; and Revs. Matthew Higginbotham, chancellor of Notre Dame; Gary Schexnider, St. Elizabeth Seton Church (Lafayette); Jude Thierry, St. Joseph Catholic Church (Iota); and many more who joined Notre Dame’s seniors in their celebration.
The Mass saw the senior class officers and student council representatives serve in various capacities throughout the Mass. Two students also joined the church choir and musicians for “Ave Maria.”
Following Mass, graduation ceremonies began in earnest, with Coach Lewis Cook Jr. named as the 2015 inductee into the Notre Dame High School Shoe of Fame.
Cook in his capacities as administrator, coach and so on throughout the years has been applauded for touching the lives of numerous young men and women over the years and shaping their lives. Principal Cindy Istre challenged the graduating class to “walk in Coach Cook’s shoes” and, like him, put faith and family first, always.
Several students were recognized during the course of the ceremony, including the winners of the American Legion and Catholic Action awards.
Michael Stefanski, representing the American Legion, presented his organization’s awards to Mary Frances Beslin and Hunter Jon Lambert. Meanwhile, the Catholic Action Awards, Notre Dame’s most prestigious awards, were awarded to Adam Jackson, son of Ivy and RoseAnna Jackson of Jennings and Aline Gossen, daughter of Jason and Amy Gossen of Rayne. The two were presented the awards, as voted by their classmates, for displaying qualities of leadership, service to community and church and Christian attitude to all they meet.
Another highlight Monday morning included the valedictory address.
Though there were three summa cum laude graduates this year — Vanessa Benoit, Lambert and Connor McNeely — it was Lambert who delivered the address. He called upon fond memories of Notre Dame and sung the school’s many praises, all while reminding the graduates that no matter what road they had taken to Friday morning and which road they will follow after, part of Notre Dame will remain with them forever.
Finally, 99 seniors became graduates with the conferment of diplomas by Bishop Jarrell and Rev. Higginbotham. Receiving their diplomas were
Holly Nicole Amy, Lauren Marie Babineaux, Madeline Elise Barbin, Harley Anne Bellard, Madeline Grace Bellard, Madison Claire Belsom, Vanessa Elise Benoit, Mary Frances Beslin, Reese James Besse, Tyler David Binder, Alexis Caroline Briscoe, Kate Elizabeth Broussard, Lydia Elizabeth Broussard, Grace Laine Carson, Megan Elizabeth Cassedy, Hannah Elizabeth Coley, Madeline Claire Colligan, Damon Paul Comeaux, Magan Renee Cramer, Bryce Olivier Credeur, Jordan Taite Daigle, Grace Ann Riley Doucet, Madeline Claire Doucet, Douglas Drake Douget, John Phillip Duos, Hanna Nicole Esthay, Megan Marie Fontenot, John Paul Foreman, Tristan John Frugé, John Gabriel Jude Gardiner, Trace Michael Gaspard, Victoria Marie Gaudin, Darius Jermaine Gibson, Lazar John Bryant Gielen, Dillan Kane Gilbert, Mayci Layne Gonzales, Aline Marie Gossen, Allie Cherie Gossen, Mia Clare Grissom, Hunter Nicole Guidry, Matthew David Hanks, Claire Elizabeth Hebert, Kylie Monet Hebert, Maria Teresa Hundley, Adam Charles Jackson, Madison Claire Jacques, Landon Keith Johnsey, Claiton Adam Johnson, Connor Andrew Kirsch, Rachel Claire LaCroix, Taylor Paige LaFleur, Logan Gerard LaGrange, Hunter Jon Lambert, Alisha Helen Large, Elise Kirsten LeBeouf, Elizabeth Renee Ledet, Amy Madison Leger, Madelyn Blair LeJeune, Jacob Paul LeLeux, Zachary David Lepretre, Nathaniel Joseph Link, John Chase McBride, James Patrick McCleary III, Connor Dale McNeely, Dylan Christopher Meche, Elise Michelle Miller, Hunter Christian Miller, Patrick Phuc Nguyen, Britney Nichole Nolan, Thomas Joseph Ohlenforst II, Madison Angelle Petry, Dustin Michael Reiners, Stephanie Nicole Reiners, Annsley Blaire Richard, Courtlyn Elizabeth Richard, James Clinton Richard, Katlyn Marie Richard, Caleb Dane Robichaux, Elizabeth Anne Robichaux, Ivy Paul Robicheaux, Nicholas Hans Roy, John Cabot Russell, Nicholas James Satchell, Taylor Nicole Satchell, Theresa Rose Schmid, Tyler Keith Simar, Hannah Marie Stanford, Laura Jane Stevens, Bradley Paul Stoma, Joseph Paul Stringfellow, Wyatt Evan Sullivan, Maegan Nicole Swacker, Jacques Logan Thibodeaux, Mackenzi Lynn Thibodeaux Sarah Marie Thibodeaux, Alexander George Thomas, Caroline Marie Wild, Ben Steven Zaunbrecher and Payton Nikole Zaunbrecher.