StM News

In a little more than three weeks, the Class of 2024 will cross the stage in the school’s 74th Commencement Ceremony. In the meantime the near-graduates have been completing a few final requirements and observing time-honored StM traditions. 

Senior Favorites

As the school year closes the Upper School announced this year’s senior favorites. This StM tradition dates back to the first graduating class of 1951 who selected two students for their outstanding  loyalty and devotion to the school. They came to be known as Mr. and Miss St. Martin’s, and in later years other ‘favorites’ were added. For 2024, Mr. and Miss St. Martin’s are Manny Bejaran and Emerson Arensman. Sofia DiVincenti and Patrick LaForge were selected as Most Athletic. Wittiest in the senior class are Alex Pevey and Daniel Duplantis. Gabby Mannino and Kyle Lawrence were voted as Most Spirited. The Most Likely to Succeed in the Class of 2024 are Kaitlyn Tillery, Gabby Rubin, and Cole Angerer. Selected as Friendliest Seniors were Laney Dobson and Carter Scheuermann. Emory Farber and Ian Hunter are the class’ Most Artistic. 

Senior Grad Bash

Seniors enjoyed a class trip to Walt Disney World, April 25-28. It was a time filled with bonding, allowing students to celebrate their accomplishments, and bid farewell to their classmates in a fun-filled, memorable way. 

Senior Chapel Day

Before starting exams, the Class of 2024 closed out its last week of classes with a busy, fun-filled final day. Members of the senior class who have been at StM since kindergarten (the Julie Dieth 13-Year Club), pre-K (Alma Roohi ’83 14-Year Club), and even earlier (George Cottage 15+-Year Club) started their last day of school the same way they began their first — by ringing the Lower School bell. Former teachers and Lower School Head Rebecca Lovisa wished them well and congratulated them on their accomplishments. 

The Alumni Association hosted a New Alumni Luncheon for the members of the Class of 2024, their official welcome into the St. Martin’s Alumni Association. Following lunch, seniors made their way to the Lower School to have a snack with the Lower School teachers. 

At 2 p.m. the entire Upper School attended Senior Chapel. This St. Martin’s tradition began in 1984 as an idea of Fr. Ralph Byrd. Then-class president Lester Coe ’84 helped facilitate the first Senior Chapel as the class’ homage to the school. Members of the Class of 2024 helped carry on that beloved tradition when they shared their favorite St. Martin’s memories, from George Cottage and Lower School to the present.                   

After the chapel service, the Class of 2024 processed two by two to the St. Martin’s Episcopal School Bell. Standing in the heart of campus, the bell has been a fixture of St. Martin’s for decades. With family, friends, and faculty surrounding them, each senior rang the bell once to signal the close of this chapter in their lives. 

Senior Internships

During the final weeks leading up to graduation, seniors are required to complete two-week internships at local businesses, exposing them to possible future careers. Students reflect upon their experiences and write about what they learned and how the internships impacted them. The Louisiana State Senate, Children’s Hospital, the Saenger and Mahalia Jackson Theaters, Canal Street Veterinary Hospital, Tulane University, Entergy, and many more companies and organizations are hosting the Class of 2024 as seniors seize the opportunity to learn from local professionals. 

The senior internships were originated by Upper School Counselor Dr. Bill Rosenbaum in 1993, and are the culmination of St. Martin’s multi-year career exploration program which begins in ninth grade. Freshmen participate in Shadow Day, where they spend one day shadowing professionals in various career fields. As sophomores, students visit local college campuses to explore majors offered. Juniors and seniors are further exposed to possible career paths through Career Day.  

The Final Countdown

After relinquishing their leadership roles to the Class of 2025 at the Passing of the Light Ceremony, the Class of 2024 will return to campus for the Baccalaureate Service on May 28, before participating in St. Martin’s 74th Commencement Exercises on May 30.