The class that entered Holy Angels at the height of the pandemic graduated on May 31 with pomp, circumstance, and a cathartic cap toss. The Academy recognized the Class of 2024 at a jubilant commencement ceremony and Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by The Most Reverend Michael A. Saporito. Festivities were held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.
AHA President Melinda Hanlon noted the collective accomplishments of the 144th graduating class. Together, they logged 23,607 service hours and received $11 million in scholarships to pursue their undergraduate studies at top-rated colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and Ireland, including the following Ivy League schools: Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, and University of Pennsylvania.
- Olivia Papp of Hawthorne, who earned the highest cumulative average, was named commencement speaker, the highest honor AHA may confer upon a graduate. Papp will be heading to McGill University in Montreal.
- Elise Tao of Upper Saddle River graduated Second in Merit. This fall, Tao will begin her studies as Harvard.
- Sarah David of Cresskill delivered the senior response at her peers’ request. She is bound for Vanderbilt.
This year's alumna speaker was Janice Savage (AHA '94). Savage is currently the assistant dean of research at Columbia Climate School.
