The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.

The Academy of Mount St. Ursula (AMSU), a historic, all girls, Catholic high school founded in 1855, held the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026 on Thursday, May 21, in Bedford Park. School officials said the graduates demonstrated exceptional academic excellence and boasted a 100% college acceptance rate.

 

The commencement ceremony took place at St. Philip Neri Church on the Grand Concourse, honoring 42 graduating seniors and was presided over by Geraldine Lavery, AMSU president, alongside speaker, Dr. Surojnauth Tiwari.

Addressing those gathered, Lavery said in part, “It’s not just any high school diploma. That high school diploma is from the Academy of Mount St. Ursula, where you were challenged not only academically, but also to become women of faith, and women who understand that leadership is far more than simply a title.”

 

She said the mission of the school was to empower young women for leadership in society. “Let’s think about that,” she said. “Leadership begins long before someone gives you a title or a name on the door. It begins in the daily choices that you make, how you treat people, whether you show integrity when no one is watching, whether you choose kindness in a world that can sometimes feel unkind.”

The valedictory address was delivered by Brooklyn Valentin, a National Honor Society inductee, who will receive an advanced Regents diploma and who became emotional at one point during her address as she remembered her grandmother. She also recalled moments over the years with her classmates when they were dying with laughter one minute and scrambling to finish year-end projects the next.

 

Referring to conversations she had had more recently with some of her classmates about their respective moms, she said, “It was clear that they had shaped us into who we are today.” She also recognized how mature she and her classmates had become, as people. “Challenges that seemed so difficult to overcome are now miniscule issues in the backs of our heads,” she said, later thanking family, friends, teachers, coaches and all who ensured the success of her class.

Academy of Mount St. Ursula Graduation, St. Philip Neri Church, Bedford Park, Bronx, May 21, 2026. Valedictorian Brooklyn Valentin addresses those gathered. V1 Video by Síle Moloney

Muna Jack, salutatorian, a highly distinguished QuestBridge Scholar and National Honor Society inductee, who will also receive an advanced Regents diploma, also addressed her class at the ceremony.

 

School officials said a staggering $12.6 million was awarded in scholarships to AMSU students and reflects what they described as the graduates’ “relentless commitment” to academic achievement and community leadership.

They said in addition to NYU and Vassar College, the graduates have been accepted to, and plan to enroll in, top-tier institutions including Fordham University, Stony Brook University, Pace University, Le Moyne College, Purchase College, and the United States Army, among many others.

 

Academy of Mount St. Ursula Graduation, St. Philip Neri Church, Bedford Park, Bronx, May 21, 2026. Valedictorian Brooklyn Valentin addresses those gathered. V2 Video by Síle Moloney

Founded in 1855, school officials said AMSU is the oldest continuously operating Catholic high school for girls in New York State. Located in The Bronx, they said it is dedicated to the academic and spiritual development of young women, preparing them for college and empowering them to be leaders in their communities.

 

Dressed in identical white caps and gowns, as they lined up to receive their diplomas, the graduates appeared to make a point of displaying their individuality and uniqueness through their respective footwear choices on the day.

Lavery said leadership would be tough for those graduating at a time when the world is “noisy,” and where it’s harder to distinguish AI from truth. “There are constant opinions, constant distractions, constant pressure to define yourself by achievement, by looks, by appearance, or by likes on social media.”

 

Academy of Mount St. Ursula Graduation, St. Philip Neri Church, Bedford Park, Bronx, May 21, 2026. V3 Video by Síle Moloney

She added in part, “But always remember that diploma and you are special, because for 170 years, AMSU has successfully prepared young women who are civically engaged, women who are tolerant of diverse views, and women who are committed to Serviam as a way of life.” Serviam is Latin for ‘I will serve.’

The president continued in part, “I have no doubt that you will continue that tradition. She also talked about courage and said courage didn’t mean having everything figured out. “You know what? Most people don’t” she said. “Courage means moving forward anyway, despite.”

 

A prior graduate of the school, Kalise Williams, who was in attendance on the day, sang the school’s praises, saying, “The Academy of Mount St. Ursula helped me go to St. Johns [University]. Amazing! They helped me know everything that I know.”

Academy of Mount St. Ursula Graduation, St. Philip Neri Church, Bedford Park, Bronx, May 21, 2026. V4 Video by Síle Moloney

Williams continued, “My little sister goes here as well, Michaela Morgan, and she’s a basketball star, and she’s a freshman, and my cousin, Maya, so it’s just continuing in the family.”

 

Williams added, “It’s so good that I picked this school to help out my family because they have ‘Serviam’ here. When I was here, I did 500 service hours. I won an award. It’s just, like, it helps me learn and give back to the community.” Williams said she’s now studying finance at St. John’s University.

Academy of Mount St. Ursula Graduation, St. Philip Neri Church, Bedford Park, Bronx, May 21, 2026. V5 Video by Síle Moloney

We also spoke to Kaysha Arriola, 18, and asked what graduating high school meant to her. “Honestly, it means a lot,” she said. “All the memories that I made here, it’s like being in the moment, right? Everyone’s there and it’s your first time being around such old people, you know? You’re so excited for the new beginnings.”

 

Arriola said she plans to double major in business and environmental science at Iona University in New Rochelle.

 

Academy of Mount St. Ursula Graduation, St. Philip Neri Church, Bedford Park, Bronx, May 21, 2026. Geraldine Lavery, AMSU president, addresses those gathered. V6 Video by Síle Moloney

Of her school years, she said, “Basically, everyone is telling you it goes by so fast, and now we’re here, and it’s very emotional and bittersweet because new beginnings are great, but then everything that I had in the past, all my fond memories of my friends, and all the comfortability of being in school and having the routine every day, it’s definitely a big change but I’m very excited!”

 

Watch more videos from the graduation ceremony on your YouTube channel here.

 

Academy of Mount St. Ursula Graduation, St. Philip Neri Church, Bedford Park, Bronx, May 21, 2026. Geraldine Lavery, AMSU president, addresses those gathered. V9 Video by Síle Moloney

For more information about Academy of Mount St. Ursula, visit: www.amsu.org.