Mount Royal Academy

06/18/2026

Mr. Derek Tremblay, St. Joseph Award

When teachers make their nominations for the St. Joseph award, this is the criteria:

'We look to the litany of St. Joseph to describe this student: faithful, just, patient, service-oriented, selfless, prudent, obedient, diligent, hard-working. This student refrains from gossip, shows compassion to his/her peers, listens to his/her teachers, and values their faith above all. Regardless of grades, this student gives their best effort.'

On behalf of Mr. McMenaman, it is my pleasure to present the second St. Joseph award. Mr. McMenaman wrote the following about Eddie Kanu:

“While it has been a recently developing tradition for a senior emcee to assist in the set up for Mass on Fridays, Eddie decided to set the bar even higher for future years. Without prompting, Eddie showed up right from the start. Quietly and cheerfully, he prepared the altar. Then, forbearing against hunger, Eddie remained after Mass and helped put everything away. I can’t recall a finer example of the qualities of St. Joseph and I am deeply grateful for his service.”

My extended comment about Eddie is this: I vividly remember when his father asked me what to do with his children after he would eventually succumb to cancer. I felt entirely overwhelmed by that question and wondered why he thought it wise to ask me what to do. My answer was Bob and Terry but they had already made efforts on their end to provide for Susan and Eddie somehow in their retirement. I think this entire community owes Bob and Terry a standing ovation. The way they have loved Susan and Eddie in such an obscure manner is almost a shame. It is shameful because so few of us may know what they did for them. It is a story that the world needs to hear. It is the same thing St. Joseph would have done, and that is partly why Eddie is winning this award. Eddie, come get what you earned, and let us shower Bob and Terry with what they deserve too!

To read the full transcript from the 2026 commencement exercises, visit https://www.mountroyalacademy.com/.../08/2026-commencement/

06/16/2026

Mrs. Paulina Bean, St. Joseph Award

Like St. Joseph, this student has great reverence for all that is good and holy and has a profound and personal love for Jesus and Mary. She sees and loves Jesus in the people around her, and she truly hungers and thirsts for righteousness. I can personally attest to this students’ deep prayer life and her desire to always follow God’s will, even into places of danger and uncertainty. As president of the Knights for Life Club, she has passionately led her friends in standing up for the dignity of each human person, planning numerous trips to pray outside of abortion clinics, coordinating apologetics trainings on campus for schoolmates, and attending fundraisers sponsored by pro life groups in our local community. As vice president of the National Honor Society, she has also led service projects caring for the homeless and has planned meaningful events for our school community. With a saintly level of courage, strength, humility, and compassion, this student advocates for those who need help and is truly present with her friends in their sufferings and their joys. She does not do these things for recognition or because she has to, but always out of love. I am personally extremely proud to call this young woman my student and friend. She inspires me and everyone who has the blessing of knowing her. Please join me in celebrating the recipient of the St. Joseph Award, Leah LaMothe.

To read the full transcript from the 2026 commencement exercises, visit https://www.mountroyalacademy.com/.../08/2026-commencement/

06/15/2026

"Mount Royal’s mission is "to educate the whole person, one student at a time” and after my many years here I can say without a doubt I have seen that mission lived out everyday.

Now, as my fellow graduates of the Class of 2026 we are entering into a new chapter into our lives. Most seem to be going off in different directions….Well actually not most. We leave here with the same purpose, to live in the light of Christ and bring that light to others.

Just as how Christ sent the apostles to make disciples of men of all nations, my fellow graduates we are called to do the same, to courageously bring the light of Christ to all, that is our purpose.

Fellow graduates, wherever life takes us, don’t lose faith in the values that brought us here today. The success, achievements, and accomplishments that we meant yet earn one day won’t last forever but Christ does, in Christ we can find our certainty, in Him we can put our faith.

Everything we learned here at Mount Royal was meant to prepare us not only for the future, but to make a difference in the lives of others one person at a time." - Edward Kanu '26, Student Address

To read the rest of this student address, visit https://www.mountroyalacademy.com/.../08/2026-commencement/

06/12/2026

Mount Royal Academy has announced academic awards for the fourth quarter of the 2025 – 2026 school year!

Grade 6
Headmaster’s List: Andre Tremblay and Otto Miletto
High Honors: Graham Kelly
Honors: Meave Dowsett and Hannah Courant

Grade 7
Headmaster’s List: Lilyanne Trow
High Honors: Tucker Cole, Lisette O’Brien, Claire Towne and Mary Drake
Honors: Ferguson Herrick

Grade 8
Headmaster’s List: Teodora Miletto
High Honors: Evangeline Nadeau, Liliana Chimienti and Angela Moorehouse
Honors: Jaylin Greenhalgh, Cormac Dowsett and Callan Ouellette

Grade 9
Headmaster’s List: Haley Elkind, Lily Moore, Madeleine Howerdel, Jubilee Tremblay, Emma LeBlanc, Clare Holliston, Lucy Treece, Juliana Yost and Emma LaMothe
High Honors: Anthony Fraioli
Honors: Isaac Scallon

Grade 10
Headmaster’s List: Elijah Lambrecht, Liam Swegart, Isabella Acevedo, Kolbe Dowsett, Kathryn McLaughlin, Clayton Herrick, Grace Rose-Fish and Marissa Ouellette
Honors: Liam O’Brien

Grade 11
Headmaster’s List: Alyssa Nadeau, Blake LaMothe, James McAndrew, Nicholas Lavertue, Elias Thoreson and Padraig Scallon
High Honors: Canon Earle

Grade 12
Headmaster’s List: Julia Elkind, Brendan Rose-Fish, Gabriel Lambrecht, Madeline Gawlick, Will Kalpakgian, Isabelle Nadeau, Leah Lamothe, Dominic Scallon, Warren Bugbee and Maria Fraioli
High Honors: Blaise McMenaman and Edward Kanu
Honors: Clayton Griffin and Elaria Joseph

[Headmaster’s List – Summa Cum Laude: 3.9-4.00, High Honor roll – Magna Cum Laude: 3.7-3.89, Honor Roll – Cum Laude: 3.5-3.69]

06/12/2026

Mrs. Lisa Sweet, Introduction of Student Address

Our next speaker is the rare student who takes responsibility voluntarily — which already makes him a statistical miracle. However, if you consider the struggles, both academic and just “life”, that he has had to overcome, it is clear that his transformation is truly miraculous. During his junior year, Edward took charge of organizing the Knights of Columbus Squires for flag duty. On his own initiative he recruited, trained, and supervised the boys who raised and lowered the flag each day. It was important to him, so he got it done.

Faith is also important to Edward, and he (again of his own volition) became the school sacristan. He showed up early to set up for Mass on Fridays, and stayed to break down, as well. Again, it was important to him, so he got it done.

It was revealing at the senior dinner on Thursday how much Eddie has grown in confidence, as he was basically directing the show from his seat at his table. Even his guardian, Terry, turned to me and said, “My goodness, he is running things!” as Eddie called out the people he wanted to get up to speak about the class.

It is incredibly rewarding to have watched him become a confident, thoughtful, young man of purpose.

To read the full transcript of our 2026 Commencement, visit https://www.mountroyalacademy.com/2026/06/08/2026-commencement/

06/11/2026

"During my time at Mount Royal, I have learned that in order to truly grow and gain knowledge it is important to have the ability to work hard and think on your own. True growth and knowledge requires hard work. I am proud to say that the teachers do truly care to educate the whole person, one student at a time. Each teacher strives to help every student see what is good and true. Attending a small school has been rewarding because we have the ability to form relationships with the teachers. We have more opportunities to directly go to our teachers for any questions.

One moment that has always stuck with me was when Mr. Bean told us that as we move forward with our lives we need to know that our plans are not always going to work out. Ultimately he was reminding us that we should be open to change so we may see what God has in store for us. It is important to remember that we need to follow and trust Christ as we are making our decisions. At the same time, we can have goals and dreams that we are moving towards but know that God may change something and open a door to something new." - Maria Fraioli ‘26, Student Address

To read the rest of this student address, visit https://www.mountroyalacademy.com/2026/06/08/2026-commencement/

06/10/2026

Well, the faculty and staff really know how to do a few things here:

1. Begin and end the year by sitting silently before Jesus and receiving the sacraments.
2. Enjoy each other at a nice meal, oh and perhaps try new things!
3. Move into summer mode on campus with all due expedience.
4. Invite some of our new colleagues into the fun.

Happy summer to all our faithful and wonderful teachers!

06/10/2026

Mrs. Lisa Sweet, Introduction of Student Address

This morning, we have the privilege of hearing from a student whose high school journey has been marked by truly remarkable growth and steady maturity. Most impressive, she has emerged as a leader with a leadership style all her own. She’s spunky in the best way—fearless in speaking up, unafraid to stand out, and always ready to advocate not just for herself, but for her entire class, and most especially for her brother, Anthony. She has marched into my office more than once this year with concerns about such and such with Anthony, wondering what I plan to do about it. Don’t worry, Maria, we will take good care of him when you are gone.

Maria is also spunky in a bit of a fierce way. I have seen her body check Will Kalpakgian into the wall as they were walking down the hallway. I’m not sure what Will did to deserve that, but Maria sent her message.

Honestly, it has been a delight to see Maria’s evolution over the years into the strong, confident, beautiful young woman she has become.

To read the full transcript from the 2026 commencement exercises, visit https://www.mountroyalacademy.com/.../08/2026-commencement/

06/09/2026

"So yes, the fifth and final cup, and the cup that Jesus drank, is the cup of vinegar and suffering. It is tempting to flee this cup, paint over it, or pretend it isn’t there. But in light of the Gospel message, a Christian, with his eyes fixed on heaven, is capable of taking this cup, rejoicing in it, and saying, “What else you got? Compel me to walk a mile? I’ll go two. Strike me on the cheek? Here is the other one!” Why? Because we know that the battle is already won. “Alleluia!” we say to death. “Nice try. You’ve lost. The tomb is empty. Christ has destroyed you. Your little empire has crumbled. Thank you for the crown.”

Graduates, I am not telling you that this is easy; I am telling you that it is better. It is invigorating! The blood of Christ is the headiest wine ever poured, and those who drink of it become capable of terrifying and beautiful things. Saints abandon wealth. Missionaries cross oceans. Martyrs walk singing into death. Religious sisters veil themselves from the fashions of the world and proclaim with their very lives a thirst for something beyond. Graduates, I tell you, from one human being to another, there is something delicious in sacrifice."

To read the rest of Mr. Bean's commencement address, visit https://www.mountroyalacademy.com/2026/06/08/2026-commencement/

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06/08/2026

Madeline Gawlick ‘26, Welcome Address

On behalf of the Mount Royal Class of 2026, I’d like to thank you all for coming to our Commencement Ceremony. We are so grateful to have you here as we graduate from this truly formative institution.

We have all grown here, some more than others. And some of us are still waiting for that growth spurt.

Mount Royal Academy is truly unique. Education is about the formation of the whole person, both academically and spiritually. We have not only grown intellectually but also been challenged in sports and public speaking through our recent senior thesis presentations. We have been taught to find our fulfillment in the truth. To seek deeper than surface level. To find something greater. To turn to our faith for answers. We are so incredibly privileged to have received this education.

One unique part of going to such a small school is that we’re all together all day. The Class of 2026 is composed of very different people, yet it works. We might argue like siblings, but we care for each other, too. We have each other’s backs. It’s been a long four years. But it was a fun four years, and I am grateful to have done it with this group of people.

These teachers have been instrumental in forming us as individuals, especially this past year. Thank you to Mr. Bean for the midlife crises at 8 AM in the morning. In all seriousness, thank you. You have first taught us what it means to seek Christ, and then urged us to go out and live our lives well. It is evident that all of our teachers here want the best for us. The advice you have given, both inside and outside of the classroom, will stay with us. It is still surreal to be leaving Mount Royal Academy, but I know that the education and formation that we have received here will be taken with us for the rest of our lives. Thank you.

To read the full transcript from the 2026 commencement exercises, visit https://www.mountroyalacademy.com/2026/06/08/2026-commencement/