Commencement 2024

St. Sebastian's School graduated 71 students during its 80th Commencement Exercises on Thursday, June 6, 2024. The ceremony was held in St. Bartholomew Church. Headmaster William L. Burke III P’95,’97,’00,’04, GP’23,'29 was the keynote speaker and delivered his 34th and final Commencement Address to close the proceedings. Rui S. do Rosario ’24 was this year's Valedictorian and Raif S. Boit ’24 was the Salutatorian. Headmaster Burke presented the diplomas to each graduate as Assistant Headmaster Michael Nerbonne read their names. 

On June 5, 2024, the eve of St. Sebastian's Commencement, the Class of 2024 and their parents, along with members of the administration and faculty, gathered in St. Bartholomew Church for the Baccalaureate Mass, followed by dinner in Ward Hall. In addition to receiving the traditional St. Sebastian’s tie and pen, seniors were presented with awards recognizing their talents and contributions to the School.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

View Video Recap of Commencement 2024 ►

---

COMMENCEMENT AWARDS 

Pursuit of Excellence in the Disciplines Awards
Presented to individuals selected by the faculty

English Literature – Deven S. Carkner, Jonathan J. Demosthene

Latin – Liam V. Gavin

History – Jonathan J. Demosthene, Chase W. McCann

Religion – Neal R. Carlson, John J. McHugh

English Writing – Chase W. McCann, Cormac A. Walsh

Spanish – Lochlan C. Chisholm, Jonathan J. Demosthene, Brendan T. Fulham, Jack A. Mulka

Photography – Derron J. St. Marie

Ceramic Arts – James R. Joyce, Kellan R. Kilmartin

Music – Deven S. Carkner, Henry J. duBose, Benjamin C. Goffredo, Dylan M. Lipof, Perry J. Rassiger, Derron J. St. Marie

Mathematics – Raif S. Boit, Rui S. do Rosario, Liam V. Gavin

Physics – Raif S. Boit

Chemistry – Neal R. Carlson

Biology – Christopher J. Thompson

Greek – Raif S. Boit, Neal R. Carlson

Computer Science – Rui S. do Rosario, Liam V. Gavin
 

MEDALS
The following Medals are awarded to individuals who, during their high school years, have achieved the highest grade point average in required and advanced courses in the disciplines:

The Humberto Cardinal Medeiros Memorial Medal for Modern Languages – Brendan M. Schmidt  

The Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. Beatty Memorial Medal for English – Brendan T. Fulham

The Rev. Msgr. John F.X. Harney Memorial Medal for Religion – Neal R. Carlson, Jonathan J. Demosthene, Rui S. do Rosario, Chase W. McCann, Brendan M. Schmidt

The Rev. Msgr. Charles D. McInnis Memorial Medal for History – Raif S. Boit, Jonathan J. Demosthene

The Paul A. Ablondi ‘57 Memorial Medal for Mathematics – Raif S. Boit

The John A. and Kathleen T. Nerbonne Memorial Medal for Classics – Raif S. Boit

The St. Sebastian Medal for Science – Rui S. do Rosario

The St. Sebastian Medal for Fine Arts – Derron J. St. Marie
 

The Headmaster’s Award
Presented to the graduate who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average.

Rui S. do Rosario

The St. Sebastian’s Scholar with Distinction Awards
Presented to graduates who have achieved a yearly average of A- or higher in every course, every year.

Raif S. Boit, Deven S. Carkner, Gianluca Centola, Rui S. do Rosario, Brendan T. Fulham, Chase W. McCann, Brendan M. Schmidt, Cormac A. Walsh

The St. Sebastian’s Scholar Awards
Presented to graduates who have achieved a yearly average of ‘B’ or higher in every course, every year.

Brendan W. Arcara, Aiden J. Barclay, John M. Barry, Kamden S. Carkner, Neal R. Carlson, Lochlan C. Chisholm, Bernard P. Cooney, Stephen J. Dematteo, Jonathan J. Demosthene, Henry J. duBose, Quinn B. Feyler, Liam V. Gavin, James R. Joyce, James Y. Ko, Dylan M. Lipof, Owen T. Lynch, Seamus M. McDonough, John J. McHugh, Matthew McLaughlin, Sebu P. Najarian, Max J. Proia, Perry J. Rassiger, Benjamin L. Scemama, Elliot C. Slayne, Michael A. Spalla, Derron J. St. Marie, Benjamin R. Stavaridis, Christopher J. Thompson, Ye Tian

The Sister Evelyn Catherine Barrett, O.P. Scholarship Award
Presented to the senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, most exemplifies in body, mind, and soul the spirit of St. Sebastian's School. 

John J. McHugh

The Robert S. Gilligan Award
Presented to seniors who best exemplify the qualities of courage, determination, and perseverance. 

Sebu P. Najarian

The Cardinal Cushing Memorial Medal for Student Service
Presented to a senior for exemplary service to the School.

Jack R. Connors, Jonathan J. Demosthene

The Joseph P. MacDonald Award
Presented each year by the Student Council in conjunction with the entire School community to a member of the St. Sebastian’s family for outstanding service to the School.

Brian L. Richter, Mark H. Rogers

The Reverend Charles K. Riepe Medallion
Presented by the Assistant Headmaster, in consultation with the Administration and Faculty, to the members of the graduating class who have shown true leadership in exemplifying the virtues of faith and honor for which the School stands. 

Daniel E. Gillis, Jack A. Mulka

The Founder’s Medal
Presented to the members of the Senior Class whose character, leadership, and fortitude most closely reflect the ideals that inspired William Cardinal O’Connell to found this School in the name of St. Sebastian.

James R. Joyce

The Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Medal
Presented each year to a senior for exemplary initiative, creativity, and perseverance in advancing the mission of the School.

Benjamin C. Goffredo, Derron J. St. Marie

The Alumni Award
Presented to a senior, selected by the faculty, who possesses strength of mind, body and character, who displays outstanding attitude, effort and achievement, has an innate commitment to excellence in all endeavors and who has made many and varied contributions to St. Sebastian's School.

Raif S. Boit, Brendan T. Fulham

---

BACCALAUREATE AWARDS

Poetry Out Loud School Champion
Jonathan J. Demosthene

Representing St. Sebastian’s at the Poetry Out Loud Regional Competition
Rui S. do Rosario

The Recitation of Tennyson’s Ulysses
Raif S. Boit, Deven S. Carkner, Jonathan J. Demosthene, Rui S. do Rosario

Exemplary Leadership of The Dead Poets’ Society
Deven S. Carkner, Daniel E. Gillis, Dylan M. Lipof

The Walrus “Crossword Master” and Editor Award
Rui S. do Rosario

The Walrus “Use of the First Person in Journalism” Award and Editor Award
Gianluca Centola

Leadership and Service to the St. Sebastian’s Book Club
Liam C. Field

Leadership and Service to the Creative Writing Club
Neal R. Carlson, Liam C. Field, Jack A. Mulka

Leadership and Commitment to the Ceramic Arts
Gianluca Centola

Leadership and Commitment to the Memory Project
Michael A. Spalla, Derron J. St. Marie, Colin K. Sullivan

Excellence in Theatrical Lighting
Raif S. Boit

Representing St. Sebastian’s at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in Canberra, Australia
Raif S. Boit

Outstanding Leadership, Service, and Contribution to the Success of the Debate Team
Raif S. Boit, Jonathan J. Demosthene

Leadership and Service to the Debate Team
George E. Addona, Gianluca Centola, Rui S. do Rosario, Henry J. duBose, Benjamin C. Goffredo, Edward B. Zhang

Winning First Place out of 28 Teams at the Deerfield Academy Debate Tournament
Raif S. Boit, Jonathan J. Demosthene

Winning First Place out of 56 Speakers at the Deerfield Academy Debate Tournament
Raif S. Boit

Outstanding Leadership and Service to the St. Sebastian’s Finance Academy
Henry J. duBose, Luke S. Eastwood, Quinn B. Feyler, Daniel E. Gillis, Michael A. Spalla, Christopher J. Thompson

Leadership and Service to the St. Sebastian’s Finance Academy
Jonathan J. Demosthene, Rui do Rosario, Liam C. Field, Brian D. Hall, James R. Joyce, Chase W. McCann, Jack A. Mulka, Sebu P. Najarian, Max J. Proia

Leadership and Service to the Robotics Team
Raif S. Boit, Liam V. Gavin

Leadership and Service to the Life Sciences Club
Ye Tian

Leadership and Service to the Student Council:
Nicholas A. Adams, Jack R. Connors, James R. Joyce, Jack A. Mulka

Dedication, Creativity, Passion, and Inspiration in the International Club:
Deven S. Carkner

Chapel Speech Award:
Robert A. Brady III, Owen T. Lynch

Dedication to Creativity, Design Thinking, and the Innovation Process
Raif S. Boit, Gianluca Centola, Liam V. Gavin

Active Participation in Arrows Together
Daniel E. Gillis

Superlative Service at All-School Mass
Liam V. Gavin

Distinguished Service at All-School Mass
Neal R. Carlson, Liam C. Field, Daniel E. Gillis

Service to the School in Assisting at the 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th Grade Retreats
Liam J. Barbosa, Gianluca Centola, Aidan B. Connors, Jack R. Connors, Owen J. Connors, Jonathan J. Demosthene, Adric I. Denis, Henry J. duBose, Luke S. Eastwood, Liam C. Field, Nolan M. Flynn, Jack P. Foreman, James R. Joyce, Dylan M. Lipof, Ronan I. Massenburg, John J. McHugh, Nicolas McLaughlin, Max J. Proia, Pellegrino A. Russo, Michael A. Spalla, Colin K. Sullivan, Luke R. Ward

Leadership and Service to the Health and Wellness Program as Peer Educators
Neal R. Carlson, Jack C. Condron, Jonathan J. Demosthene, Quinn B. Feyler, Liam C. Field, Jack P. Foreman, James R. Joyce, Brendan M. Schmidt, Christopher J. Thompson

Henry’s Corner Award for Leadership - Enthusiastically Cheering For, Not Against
Ronan I. Massenburg

Army ROTC 4-Year National Winner Full Tuition Scholarship to the University of Richmond
Henry J. duBose

Finalist and Scholarship Winner - National Merit Scholarship Program
Raif S. Boit

Four Boston Globe and Tufts University School of the Museum of Fine Arts Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for Journalism and Essay Writing
Gianluca Centola

Athletic Commitment Award
Presented to Members of the Senior Class who have participated in athletics each season from their sophomore through senior years.
Chase W. McCann, Jack A. Mulka

Letterman Award
Presented to Members of the Senior Class who have earned a Varsity Letter each season from their sophomore through senior years.
Seamus M. McDonough

ISL Award of Excellence
For exhibiting the Independent School League ideals of integrity, sportsmanship, fair play, and good citizenship while participating as a multi-sport athlete during his ISL career.
James R. Joyce

Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award
Deven S. Carkner, Rui S. do Rosario

Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award
Neal R. Carlson, Brendan M. Schmidt

Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence
Henry J. duBose

Army ROTC Scholarship
Henry J. duBose

Appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point
John J. McHugh

Mothers Medals
Presented to mothers with three or more sons who have graduated from St. Sebastian’s.  

Wendy Cataldo: Christopher ’20, Michael ’22, Matthew ’24
Jennifer Gorman: Liam ’19, Brendan ’22, Colin ’24
Carla Ko: Andrew ’19, Daniel ’21, James ’24