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May 17th, 2023

On May 25, the Class of 2023 will walk across the stage at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center in the school’s 73rd Commencement Ceremony. St. Martin’s is excited to announce that Gayle Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans, will deliver the address to graduates.

Mrs. Benson is a New Orleans native who has led the teams through many successful seasons and has guided the organizations to become leaders in the community, much like she is. Mrs. Benson serves on the boards of multiple local institutions, including the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Audubon Nature Institute. She is a shining example of leadership and philanthropy who has been lauded repeatedly for her accomplishments. A detailed look at her achievements can be found here. She displays a commitment to faith, scholarship, and service that is central to the mission of St. Martin’s Episcopal School.

Before graduation night, the soon-to-be alumni have been completing a few final requirements and observing time-honored StM traditions.

Senior Chapel Day

The Class of 2023 closed out its last week of classes with a busy, fun-filled final day. Members of the senior class who have been at StM from the George Cottage, Pre-K, and Kindergarten are known as the Cottage Club, the Julie Dieth 14-Year Club, and the 13-Year Club, respectively. They 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 Dr. Rebecca Lovisa came by to wish them well and congratulate them on their accomplishments.

The Alumni Association hosted a New Alumni Luncheon for the Class of 2023 as an official welcome into St. Martin’s Alumni Association. Following lunch, seniors made their way to the Lower School to have a snack with the first-grade class.

In the afternoon the entire Upper School attended Senior Chapel. This St. Martin’s tradition, started by Fr. Ralph Byrd, began in 1984. Then-class president Lester Coe ’84 helped facilitate the first Senior Chapel as the class’ homage to the school. Members of the Class of 2023 carried on that beloved tradition when they shared their favorite St. Martin’s memories, from Lower School to the present. Scattered among the reminiscing were photo slideshows, musical performances, and liturgical readings.

After the chapel service, the Class of 2023 processed, some with tears in their eyes, to the St. Martin’s Episcopal School bell. Standing in what was the heart of the original Green Acres campus, the bell has been a fixture of St. Martin’s since the school’s earliest days. 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.

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 shadow professionals in various career fields. As sophomores, students visit local college campuses to explore the majors offered. Juniors and seniors are further exposed to possible career paths and college matches by working directly with college counselors.

The Final Countdown

The Class of 2023 will return to campus for the Baccalaureate Service on May 24. Before participating in Commencement exercises on May 25, seniors will relinquish their leadership roles to the Class of 2024 at the Passing of the Light Ceremony. This tradition symbolizes the student leadership of StM being passed from seniors to juniors. During the ceremony, the current Student Government president passes his/her gavel to the incoming president. Then, before exiting the chapel a final time as students, the senior class lights candles that are given to the juniors. The juniors extinguish the flames to symbolize putting out the light of St. Martin’s for this academic year.

College Bound

St. Martin’s Class of 2023 is headed off to 25 colleges and universities across the country this fall.