Mount St. Dominic Academy Hosts Joyous 129th Annual Commencement

The Athletic Center at Mount St. Dominic Academy was packed on Sunday, June 2, 2024, when 60 young women who have called the Mount home graduated. It was a beautiful ceremony, with Vincia Jackson, MSDA Class of 2010, as the Commencement Speaker.

Class Salutatorian Adrianna Cacciacarne of Randolph opened the graduation ceremony at Mount Saint Dominic Academy with a heartfelt prayer, expressing gratitude for the journey, knowledge, friendships, and memories formed over the past four years. She prayed for guidance in future endeavors and emphasized the importance of Dominican values learned at the academy. She acknowledged the significant influence of family, teachers, and mentors, thanking them for their support and inspiration. She encouraged the graduates to pursue excellence, carry their dedication forward, and be positive forces in the world. The prayer concluded with a blessing for bright futures and a call for God's continued guidance and light.

Reflecting on her experiences at the Mount, Miss Jackson shared how they have profoundly shaped her life. Her message to the graduates was clear and powerful: "Keep the main thing the main thing," a personal mantra encouraging focus and grounding in what truly matters—your goals and dreams. She urged the graduates to be the one voice that asks the questions everyone else is too afraid to voice, to embrace uncertainty, and to stand firm in advocating for respect.

Miss Jackson emphasized the importance of intentionally seeking out diverse perspectives and embracing the beauty of diversity while cherishing the bonds with those who share your background. She urged the graduates to create their own opportunities, reminding them that success is personal and unique to each individual. "Don't compare yourself to others. Engineer the life you desire and remember who you are. The future is truly yours," she declared.

Her words were a testament to the values of MSDA and an inspiration for the graduates to carry forward as they embark on their next chapter.

Miss Jackson’s impressive career has included roles with The Clorox Company, Hormel Foods, General Mills, PepsiCo, and Sonoco Products. She is currently a Senior Operations Manager with Amazon. Her journey began with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, complemented by minors in Environmental Policy and Studies, and Business. Alongside her academic pursuits, she excelled as a NCAA Division 1 collegiate runner.

MSDA Valedictorian Erin Arenata of West Orange delivered a heartfelt graduation speech emphasizing the importance of memories and connections made throughout her high school journey. She shared how sentimental keepsakes in a senior year memories box she created symbolized cherished moments and relationships, particularly with the “little sister” she was assigned to as a junior. She reflected on the growth and resilience of the class, highlighting shared experiences from volleyball games to musical performances and retreats. Concluding with gratitude and pride, she celebrated the bonds formed and expressed excitement for the future impacts her classmates will make as alumnae.

The MSDA graduation ceremony was a poignant reminder of the values and education instilled in each student at Mount St. Dominic Academy. The graduates left with words of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration, ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives with confidence and a strong sense of purpose.

With a curriculum that sparks curiosity, bridging tradition with academic rigor and faith with intellectual exploration, the young women of the Mount build a foundation of independent inquiry and critical thinking that serves them well in college, career, and beyond. Boasting a 100% college acceptance rate at leading colleges and universities, Mount St. Dominic Academy’s Class of 2024 has earned a collective $13+ million in college scholarships and grants, and acceptance into 119 colleges. Mount graduates are empowered young women – justice seekers, changemakers, and empathetic leaders, with the skills needed to make the world a better place, along with the desire to do so.

About Mount St. Dominic: Mount St. Dominic Academy, established by the Sisters of St. Dominic, is an independent, Catholic college preparatory school dedicated to the education of young women from a variety of ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds. Located in the heart of bucolic Caldwell, New Jersey, the Mount has been empowering young women in the Dominican tradition since 1892. Mount St. Dominic Academy is a proud member of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the International Coalition of Girls Schools, the Dominican Association of Secondary Schools, the National Catholic Educational Association, and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Visit the Mount for more information.

MSDA 2023-24 Highlights: The Mount earned many accolades during the 2023-2024 school year. MSDA is a recipient of the 2024 College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for its outstanding achievement in fostering high female representation in both AP Computer Science A (CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP), the 2023 Best of Essex Gold Medal in the "Best in Private School” category, and has been named a Niche A+ 2024 Best School, which is only achieved by 2.5% of schools in the country. In addition, the Mount boasts an award-winning Performing Arts Program, and The Mount's Lady Lions Soccer team won the 2023 Super Essex North, Non-Public A Liberty Division Conference, and the Varsity Softball team recorded a record 11th consecutive Essex County Tournament win in 2024.