Nora Cronin Presentation Academy celebrated the academic accomplishments and the completion of the academic journey of the class of 2023 on Friday, June 16 at St. Francis of Assisi Church.

The Nora Cronin Presentation Academy Class of 2023 includes Heidi Barragan, Stephanie Cruz, Arlene Dominguez, Jurnee Harris, Lilybeth Lucero, Juleymi Magana, Angelina Montiel, Melanye Morales, Jasmin Moreno, Roxanna Otero, Valeria Perez, Libertad Rianchos, Gennesis Risco and Aniyah Valladares.

Dr. Tammy Barnett, Principal welcomed family and friends to the ceremony and invoked several remarks and words of encouragement and wisdom to the graduating class as they are about to begin the next chapter of their lives.

“Middle school graduation is an important milestone. Our goal of breaking the cycle of poverty through education is possible only because of the multitude of people who believe in the possibility of a school for low-income girls in the City of Newburgh,” said Barnett to the graduates. “The education that you received at Nora Cronin Presentation Academy has prepared you for the next chapter in your lives. We hope that you’ve learned the truth of your Catholic faith and understand Christian attitudes and values. These values are the core curriculum of Nora Cronin Presentation Academy and will be valuable in your life. Lastly, your diploma represents hours of work through your own accomplishments you have met Nora Cronin Presentation Academy’s spiritual and academic requirements. Congratulations to all of you.”

Several awards from state officials and NCPA faculty and staff were given to the graduates who were recognized for their academic and personal achievements.

Juleymi Magana and Aniyah Valladares were awarded the State of New York Office of the Attorney General Triple C Award. The Triple C award was given to students for their commitment, character and courage. Graduates Arlene Dominguez, Jurnee Harris, Lilybeth Lucero, Jasmin Moreno and Libertad Rianchos were awarded the New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli Achievement Award for Academic Excellence and Leadership Potential. Melanye Morales, Roxanna Otero, Valeria Perez and Aniyah Valladares received an award from the Office of New York State Assembly Member Jonathan Jacobson for their outstanding efforts, improvements in their grades and service to their school, church or community. The Daughters of the American Revolution Youth Citizenship Award was awarded to graduate Aniyah Valladares. This award is given to a student who embodies the five qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership and patriotism and is proven to be an outstanding citizen. Other awards were bestowed upon students for their excellence and achievements in particular academic subjects while in school.

Special guest Sister Yliana Hernández, PBVM, former Principal of NCPA and Sister Laura Urbano of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin were welcomed to the ceremony and had the honor of bestowing the he Nano Nagle Medal, the highest and most prestigious award from NCPA to 2023 graduate Stephanie Cruz. This medal, which has been given to a graduate going back to 2010, was given to the graduate not for their academic achievement but for their overall character and who embodies the words from the scripture passage “To act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with God.”

Nora Cronin also welcomed back alumni Yoselyn Perez, Class of 2016, as the guest commencement speaker for the graduation and Valedictorian Heidi Barragan, from memory, gave the student address to her fellow classmates. At the conclusion of the commencement addresses, Barnett bestowed the confirmation of the graduates and as the tassels were moved to the opposite side of the caps, applause and cheers were heard throughout the church.The gathered crowd raised their arms towards the class for a final blessing and thus the journey at Nora Cronin has concluded for the students.

In the coming fall Barragan, Harris, Lucero, Magana, Morales, Moreno, Otero, Perez, Rianchos and Valladares will be attending Our Lady of Lourdes High School. Cruz, Montiel and Risco will be attending Kennedy Catholic High School and Dominguez will be attending Newburgh Free Academy.