This year’s senior class has distinguished itself with noteworthy achievements, particularly in the face of a highly competitive college admissions cycle. Admissions standards have become increasingly rigorous, with many colleges, particularly public flagships like the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech, reporting record application numbers, rising academic profiles, and shrinking acceptance rates. The University of Georgia alone received more than 53,000 applications this year, admitting fewer than 32% of those applicants. Even in this challenging environment, 63% of our seniors who applied to the University of Georgia were accepted, continuing our standing as the school with the highest UGA acceptance rate in Middle Georgia.
While highly selective schools draw significant attention, what stands out most is the intentional way each student has approached the college search. Every senior has taken time to discern the right fit for their interests, strengths, and aspirations.
Their destinations include:
| Albany State University | McKendree University |
| Auburn University | Mercer University |
| Augusta University | Middle Georgia State University |
| Ave Maria University | Montreat College |
| Central Georgia Technical College | Morehouse College |
| Coastal Carolina University | Point University |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Samford University |
| East Georgia College | Shorter College |
| Emmanuel College | Southeast Lineman Training Center |
| Florida Technical College | Thomas University |
| Georgia College & State University | Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland |
| Georgia Military College | University of Georgia |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | University of Mississippi |
| Georgia Southern University | University of North Georgia |
| Georgia State University | University of Tennessee |
| Gordon State University | University of the South, Sewanee |
| Holy Family College | U.S. Navy |
| Jacksonville University | Valdosta State University |
| John Cabot University, Rome, Italy | Williams College |
| Kennesaw State University | Woford College |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
The students in this year’s graduating class rose to meet the challenge of Mount de Sale’s rigorous curriculum. For their efforts, over 85% of them will graduate with the HOPE scholarship. In addition to the Hope Scholarship, the Class of 2025 has earned over $6.8 million in scholarship money.
This class leaves an impressive legacy, not only for its academic accomplishments but also for its tremendous leadership skills and the positive influence it has used to continue Catherine McAuley’s legacy.
We are delighted to recognize the following students for their achievements this year.
Cavalier Spirit Athletic Scholarship: Holden Lane
Male Macon Sports Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete: Carter Sparks
Female Macon Sports Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete: Graham Blackwell
DAR Citizenship Award: Amire Vamper
Jeff Dobias Scholarship: David Kay
The Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Diamonds on our Minds Foundation Scholarship: Holden Lane
National Society for Dance Scholarships: Naomi Do
Seth Stapleton Memorial Scholarship – Levie Siebenmorgan
Monsignor Cuddy – Julia Bonbrake
Medal of Honor – Stephen Leach
Senior Activity Recognition
Academic Bowl:
Sam Alderman
Stephen Leach
John Paul Clark
Hughes Gregory
Aiden Panek
GISA Literary Competition:
Julia Byron, Dramatic Interpretation, 2nd place Region, 1st place State
Ysa Constantino, Rhetorical Essay, 3rd place Region
Maddie Cooke, Treble Solo, 2nd place Region, 2nd place State
Aubrey Elmore, Trio, 1st place Region, 2nd place State; Quartet, 2nd place Region, 2nd place State
Stephen Leach, Extemporaneous Speaking, 1st place Region, 2nd place State
Liam Parks, Humorous Interpretation; Quartet, 2nd place Region, 2nd place State
Izzy Yousif, Impromptu Speaking, 1st place Region, 4th place State
Literary Magazine Page Break:
Julia Byron, Co-Editor and Layout Designer
Hannah Denny, Co-Editor and Layout Designer
Lindy Sanchez, Publicity Manager
Maddie Cooke, Art Team Head
Mercy in Action Exemplary Service Award:
This award recognizes the students who have demonstrated their enthusiasm for service. These students have achieved the highest number of Mercy In Action hours and community outreach experiences in their class. The Exemplary Service Award acknowledges not only their willingness to engage members of our community with Mercy, Compassion, and Empathy but also serves as a reminder of the importance of displaying the values of servant leadership, living the charism of the Sisters of Mercy, and serving beyond the minimum requirements.
Mercy in Action Exemplary Service Award: Julissa Rodriguez
Mock Trial:
Izzy Yousif, Lead Attorney, Captain and President, 4-year Excellence Award
Stephen Leach, Lead Attorney
Courtney Blount, Witness
Lawrence Brown, Witness
Julia Byron, Witness, Best Witness Award
Ysa Constantino, Witness
Nate Frankum, Timekeeper
Student Council:
John Paul Clark, Student Body President
Charlie Clark, Student Body Vice President
Holden Lane, Secretary
Luz Alcantar, Treasurer
Senior Class Representatives:
Madi Steward, Senior Class President
Courtney Blount, Representative
Julia Bonbrake, Representative
Naomi Do, Representative
Senior Cavalier Ambassadors:
Luz Alcantar
Makayla Batchelor
Drew Bentley
Evan Lin
Daphne Mayville-Stephens
Isabella St. Peter
Izzy Yousif
Academic Lettering:
Academic lettering is only based on the student’s performance in the current year. Seniors who earn an Academic Letter must achieve a 95 average or higher during their senior year. All honorees who are first-time recipients received a letter with a lamp of knowledge. Students who have already earned a letter added a gold star.
Letters:
Brett Beebe
Drew Bentley
Nate Frankum
Holden Lane
Taylor Moore
Stars:
Luz Alcantar
Sam Alderman
Graham Blackwell
Lawrence Brown
Julia Byron
Mary Clare Clark
Ysa Constantino
Maddie Cooke
Hannah Denny
Naomi Do
Jai Dudley
Aubrey Elmore
Mei Granados
William Griffin
Jackie Ho
Stephen Leach
Evan Lin
Abner Livingston
Ian Lucas
Chyenne Mitchell
Krisalyn Nguyen
Julissa Rodriguez
Lindy Sanchez
Carter Sparks
Isabella St. Peter
Daniel Wright
Isabelle Yousif
Cum Laude Society Inductees:
The object of the Cum Laudé Society is to promote learning and sound scholarship in secondary schools. The Society was founded in 1906 to recognize scholastic achievement of seniors in secondary schools, and the presence of a Cum Laude chapter at a secondary school is an indication that superior scholastic achievement is honored.
In 2012, Mount de Sales was granted a charter membership. Mount de Sales joins only eleven other schools in Georgia who have qualified for a charter in The Cum Laude Society’s 120-year history. No other school in Middle Georgia has a Cum Laude Chapter.
Cum Laude inductees will have their names recorded in the permanent files at the Society’s headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.
These students were inducted into Cum Laude as juniors:
Julia Byron
Mei Granados
Evan Lin
Isabella St. Peter
These students were inducted into Cum Laude as seniors:
Stephen Leach
Abner Livingston
Maddie Cooke
Macon Telegraph Golden Eagle Award Nominees:
These students will attend the awards ceremony in May.
Bailey Keever, Art
Ysa Constantino, Drama
Stephen Leach, Citizenship
Lawrence Brown, Social Studies
Julia Bonbrake, Athletics
Maddie Cooke, Music
Isabella St. Peter, Science
Carter Sparks, Math
Evan Lin, Technology
Izzy Yousif, Journalism/Marketing/Communications
Ysa Constantino, English Literature
Mount de Sales’ STAR Student and Teacher:
Each school in Georgia may name the student with the highest one-sitting SAT score and outstanding GPA as their STAR student. These students then compete against all the other STAR students in the county. Each STAR student is asked to name the teacher who most influenced his or her academic development.
STAR Student: Evan Lin
STAR Teacher: Mr. Mark McMahon
Senior Practicum:
The Senior Practicum experience at MDS is a field internship that students can complete to help discern if their area of interest could be a career path. Students must have 25 hours minimum in the field. They keep a blog chronicling their internship experiences throughout the year, and at the end of the year students give a final Practicum Presentation to a committee made up of administrators and teachers at MDS. This experience gives students the opportunity to develop skills that would be used in any professional setting, such as time management and communication skills.
Luz Alcantar Lemus, Business
Courtney Blount, Healthcare
John Paul Clark, Healthcare
Mary Clare Clark, Public Safety
Ysa Constantino, Healthcare
Maddie Cooke, Agriculture
Hannah Denny, Interior Design
Mei Granados, Healthcare
Frances Hanson, Sports Medicine
Daphne Mayville-Stephens, Law
Julissa Rodriguez, Dentistry
Lindy Sanchez, Forensics
Valencia Thomas, Healthcare
Izzy Yousif, Business
Departmental Achievement Awards:
Each year, the Departmental Achievement Awards are given to the seniors who most demonstrate a true passion for the specific discipline along with outstanding achievement in that area of study.
Aubrey Elmore, Choral
Ysa Constantino, Drama
Lindy Sanchez, Technical Theater
Kamila Solis-Hernandez, Visual Arts
David Alejandro Kay, Instrumental Music
Evan Lin, Technology
Julissa Rodriguez, Theology
Izzy Yousif, World Languages, Spanish
Hughes Gregory, World Languages, Latin
Julia Byron, English
Carter Sparks, Math
Isabella St. Peter, Science
William Griffin, Social Studies
Chester W. Pierce Distinguished Service Award:
The Chester W. Pierce Distinguished Service Award was established to honor the legacy of Chester Pierce and his incalculable contribution to life at Mount de Sales. As a teacher, coach, and administrator, Mr. Pierce manifested adherence to the highest principles and traditions of the Mount de Sales community of which he was a part for 37 years. The recipient of this award vividly demonstrates that making remarkable contributions to school service is essential to the health and vitality of the entire community.
Chester W. Pierce Award: Holden Lane
We are so proud of the class of 2025! Forever de Sales!