I N C A R N A T E
SUMMER 2013
W O R D
A C A D E M Y
•
C O R P U S
C H R I S T I
w w w. i w a c c . o r g
CONGRATULATIONS
CLASS OF 2013!
Incarnate Word Academy
graduates
have been awarded
over $ 5.6 million– and rising
in scholarships.
100% of our graduates
have been accepted into
colleges and/or universities.
INCARNATE WORD ACADEMY CLASS OF 2013
Elementary Level
Kindergarten Graduation
T
he Kindergarten Class of 2013, in their red caps and gowns, proceeded down the aisle of the Convent Chapel on Thursday, May 23,
2013, to commemorate their graduation. With proud families and friends in attendance, the students were recognized with a Mass
celebrated by Father John Gaffney. After Mass, everyone gathered for a reception in the James R. Dougherty Center. Our best wishes
and prayers for a bright future are extended to the 2013 kindergarten graduates.
2012-2013 GRADUATES
Montessori and Traditional
Landon James Anthony
Katelyn Elizabeth Blaine
Carlisle Rose Braman
Cullen Joseph Braugh
Sophia Bella Cortes
Matthew William Cory
Kelley Hamilton Cruger
Mia Griffin Dorsey
Kai Andrew Fernandez
Silvia Kaitlyn Gonzales
Hannah Perry Harrison
Edgar Hernandez
Kathryn Grace Hickman
Mia Louise Holl
Jude Jarvis Nerios-Ramsey
Dylan Michael Ostos
Kyle Padraic Owen-Casas
Sophia Analise Palomo
Rainaa Shital Patel
Benjamin Milam Pettus
Jack Eduard Rumley
Ian Rooke Scanio
Cole Patrick Schulz
Katelyn Manuela Shull
Quinn Rushing Supnet
Rebecca Claire Taft
Samuel Pabst Tarrance
Isabella Toth
Troy Alexander Tupaj
Giavanna Eva Ureta
Matthew Jacob Villarreal
Caroline Marshall Welch
Austin Thomas Wesselski
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THE MESSENGER
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Incarnate Word Academy Kindergarten Class of 2013
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1. Silvia Gonzalez and Sophia Cortes
2. Jude Nerios and Ian Scanio with
Sister Camelia Herlihy (from left), Mrs. Laura
McCraken, Patsy Limon, and Deborah Lee Murphy
3. Isabella Toth, Katelyn Blaine, and Landon Anthony
4. Katelyn Shull and her mother, Victoria Shull
5. Edgar Hernandez, Kathryn Hickman,
and Dylan Ostos
6. Landon Anthony receives a blessing from
Father Gaffney.
7. Matthew Villarreal and Jack Rumley
8. Sarita Pettus, Charles Flood, and Benjamin Pettus
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Visit iwacc.org/gallery to view more photos from the graduation ceremony.
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Elementary Level
Fifth Grade Graduation
A
graduation Mass for the 2013 Traditional and Montessori Fifth Grade Classes was celebrated by Msgr. Roger Smith, on Tuesday,
May 28, 2013, in the Convent Chapel. Students actively participated in the liturgy: Claire Thomas acted as the greeter; Jacqueline
Galvan was the reader; Sofia Alexander, Samuel Canales, and Paxton Longwell led the Responsorial Psalm; Sarah Garcia read the
petitions; Alaina De Leon and Isabella Ysassi acted as gift bearers; and Isabella Williams read the Communion reflection. After receiving
their diplomas, the graduates and their families enjoyed a reception hosted by the fourth grade parents.
2012-2013 GRADUATES
Montessori and Traditional
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1. Jacqueline Galvan
2. Perry Burkett, Sofia Alexander, and Amisha Agarwal
3. Samuel Canales receives communion from
Sister Camelia Herlihy.
4. Gavin Vicknair and Jackson Meyer
5. Perry Burket with his parents, Jason and Laurie
6. Laura Julianna Perez with her mother, Suzanne,
and grandparents.
7. Joseph Garcia with his family.
8. A’Marie Pollard with her grandmother, Ester.
9. Patrick Shea, Paxton Longwell, Joseph Garcia,
Anthony Matl, and Timothy Nye
Visit iwacc.org/gallery to view more photos from the graduation ceremony.
Amisha Agarwal
Sofia Mary Alexander
Perry Easton Burkett
Samuel Canales
Alaina Marie De Leon
Jacqueline Alicia Galvan
Joseph Rey Garcia
Sarah Rose Garcia
Riley Ann Gourley
Lukas Graf
Eleanor Grace Greco
Connor Rene Hein
Annie Rae Hoffman
Charles Huntington Hornsby
Drake McDonough Leeson
David Issack Leyton
Paxton David Longwell
Anthony Nicholas Matl
Jackson Christopher Meyer
Ryan Stephen Nurenberg
Timothy Andrew Nye
Laura Juliana Perez
A’Marie Alief Pollard
Sneha Reddy
Patrick Shea
Hannah Kate Sifuentes
Claire Margaret Thomas
Peyton Monroe Thorud
Gavin Patrick Vicknair
Isabella Grace Williams
Isabella Marie Ysassi
Incarnate Word Academy 5th Grade Class of 2013
THE MESSENGER
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INCARNATE WORD ACADEMY CLASS OF 2013
High School Level
Twelfth Grade Graduation
T
“
o take a risk is to make a decision. It is to have the courage to take a leap of faith over the threshold that connects dreams to reality.”
These words, taken from the salutatory address given by Derek Ficenec on Friday, May 31, 2013, resounded the predominant mood
that was felt in the sanctuary of the Corpus Christi Cathedral as the 72 graduates transitioned from one phase of their lives into the
next. The celebration began with a baccalaureate Mass. The Most Reverend Wm. Michael Mulvey, S.T.L., D.D., along with several local
priests, celebrated the liturgy.
The commencement ceremony began immediately following the Mass. Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament –
Sr. Martha O’Gara, Sr. Judith Marie Saenz, Sr. Raquel Newman, and Sr. Rosa Ortiz – announced the graduates, while Bishop Mulvey,
President Charles D. Imbergamo, and High School Level Principal Jose Torres presented the diplomas.
Mr. Torres presented the 2013 Valedictorian and Salutatorian with a plaque prior to presenting them to the congregation. This year’s
Valedictorian, Brittany Anne Donald, encouraged her classmates to “show the world your kindness and take failures with grace. Nobody
ever reached a goal by giving up.” She also encouraged them to “remember that the journey, how you got there, is as important as getting
there. Don’t just do what you have to, don’t just get by. Go farther. Push yourself.”
The Class of 2013 embodies the philosophy that we at Incarnate Word Academy have facilitated a Christian wholeness in each person
and a Christian unity among all while creating a Catholic faith community.
The commencement concluded with Mr. Torres asking the graduates to face the audience and to move their tassels from right to left.
One last photo was taken of the graduates throwing up their caps into the air as a sign of jubilance. We wish the Class of 2013 many
blessings in their future endeavors.
Incarnate Word Academy Class of 2013
Madison Lucy Aboud
Raymond Burnett Acebo III
Ashley Michelle Arriaga
Alexandra Nicole Atkinson
Lauren Amber Ayala
Poneh Shannay Baradaran
Alexandria Mariah Barrera
Jaime Nichole Bibby
Daniel Wright Bomer
Avery Quinn Bottom
Jackson Regenold Bright
John Lawrence Bronold II
Robert Maxwell Buchan
Clarissa Loraine Carreón
Jacob Will Clark
Brianna Gabrielle Cosme
Alfred Trent Dimas
Brittany Anne Nicole Donald, Valedictorian
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Annabelle Evangeline Dura
Kayla Elaine Dural
Alegre Lamar Elizondo
Cristian Fernandez
Derek Matthew Ficenec, Salutatorian
Paul Michael Freeman
Danielle Reneé Garcia
Jacob-Lee Pryor Garza
Alyssa Marie Gentry
Carlos Alexander Gonzales
Madison Bailey Groesbeck
Chelsea Elisabeth Guerra
Michael Edward Harrington
Dodie Nohely Heredia
Patrick Arthur Hickham
Taylor Hubbard
Elizabeth Cram Kirkland
Kateri Anne Kroeger
Kevin Noe Lira
Madison Elizabeth Longwell
Gustavo Adolfo Madero
Kanyarat Maliwan
Zachary Tyson Martin
Kelvie Chenille Mason
Frank Lowell McNiff III
Katia Maria Mendizabal
Clarra Gabriella Moore
Cristian Andrew Moreno
Matthew Thomas Morrison
William Bernard Niswonger
Jesus David Noyola
Andrew Michael Orgill
Angela Mia Pannone
Victoria Nicole Parra
Hailey Nichole Patrick
Deanna Marie Ramirez
Gabriella Rebeca Rendón
Daniela Patricia Montserrat Rivera
Olivia Ann Rodriguez
Lauren Marie Saenz
Michael Emile Salloum
Hayley Elizabeth Sanchez
Miranda Sauceda
Andrew Augustin Shull
Jason Christopher Simank
Kevin Michael Smith
Benjamin Rene Sorrell
Gilberto Sosa III
David Tyler Suarez
Andrew Michael Thomas
Erika Alexandra Tijerina
Michael William Tinning
Sebastian Villamil
Jesse Clement Woodall IV
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1. Brittany Donald, Valedictorian
2. Brittany Donald, Derek Ficenec, Andrew Thomas, Elizabeth
Kirkland, Frank McNiff, and Jacob Clark
3. Derek Ficenec, Salutatorian, and Brittany Donald, Valedictorian
4. Sebastian Villamil and Andrew Thomas
5. Madison Groesbeck with her parents, Gary and Shawn
6. John Lawerence Bronold accepting his diploma from Bishop
Michael Mulvey, Principal Jose Torres, and President Charles D.
Imbergamo.
7. Elizabeth Kirkland, Madison Aboud, Deanna Ramirez, and
Avery Bottom
8. Graduates toss their caps at the end of the ceremony.
9. Katia Mendizabal with her family.
10. Jacob Garza, Andrew Shull, Tyler Suarez, and Patrick Hickham
11. Alegre Elizondo with her family.
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Visit iwacc.org/gallery to view more photos from the graduation ceremony.
THE MESSENGER
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INCARNATE WORD ACADEMY CLASS OF 2013
Middle Level
Eighth Grade Graduation
T
his year’s eighth grade graduation Mass and ceremony was held at St. Patrick Catholic Church. The Mass was celebrated by Msgr.
Roger Smith, who presented an inspirational homily. After the homily, Middle Level Principal Adolfo Garza presented each of the
students with their Certificate of Completion. The graduates have then presented red roses to parents as a symbol of their love
and gratitude. The graduates have many fond memories of their final year at the Middle Level: the Diocesan Mass at the Corpus Christi
Cathedral in August, the one-day Fall Retreat at Camp Zephyr in early September, the on-campus Advent Retreat in early December,
the three-day camping trip the class took to Camp Zephyr this spring, and ‒ above all ‒ their graduation ceremony.
Incarnate Word Academy 8th Grade Class of 2013
Marco Andres Aguas
Jerod Daniel Alanis
Franceska Elizabeth Alvarado
Jessica Kay Bang
David Andres Barrera
David Isaiah Barrera
Kassidee Bess Beal
Aaron Philip Benavides
Avina Pankaj Bhakta
Jacqueline Elena Black
Chianna Mae Bostick
Jullian Alexandra Brown
William Travis Brown
Mary Christine Buhidar
Victoria Katherine Cadena
Andrew Striker Canales
Ronald Charles Canales
Alexis Michelle Cervantes
Marykathryn Snapka Charles
Joseph Thomas Cook
Trevor Logan Creamean
Maria Esperanza De Ases
Hannah Elizabeth De Leon
Michael Rioke Diejomaoh
Jacquelyn Nichol Douglas
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Maximiliano David Elizondo
Luz Maria Fernandez
Nicole Marie Flanigan
Emily Marie Fleetwood
Abigail Marie Floerke
Ricardo Flores III
Abigail Adelina Garcia
Noah Aaron Garcia
Samantha Jo Garcia
Milan Alva Garza
Patrick Eugene George
Alexandra Renee’ Gonzalez
Jacob Andrew Gonzalez
Hayley Claire Guerra
Paris Elizabeth Hanna
Danielle Marie Harrel
Meagan Elizabeth Harrington
Nicholas Wayne Hoffman
Elaina Anita Lara
Dominique Daniela Larioz
Claudia Clarich Leal
Nicholas Brett Lee
Lupita Karelyn Leon
Paige Miranda Lippincott
Juan Leonardo Lugo III
Ben Lewis Martinez
Caitlyn Nicole Martinez
Madeline Christine Martinez
Mary Elizabeth Matl
John Tobin McNiff
Jesus Reynaldo Mireles
Cheyenne Danielle Herlinda Moreno-Arispe
Jule Dominic Moya
Gabriella Marie Muenster
Matthew David Oliveira
Omar Jose Pagan
Stephen Frank-Anthony Parlamas
Rani Jagdish Patel
Robert Clayton Patrick
Robert Carter Pettus
Kennedy Huerta Quintanilla
Ranger Roel Quintero
Delayna Justene Ramirez
Joshua Miliano Ramirez
Julio Roberto Ramos II
Victoria Danielle Rangel
Estefan Ricardo Resendez
Pablo Pietro Rivera
Michael Glennon Rock
Jacqueline Demi Rodriguez
Lorin Renee Rodriguez
Sarah Renee Rodriguez
Marcos Arsulo Ruiz
Shelby Lee Saenz
Catherine Grace Schultz
Houston Doan Shockley Jr.
Lucy Ann Shoemaker
Michael Adam Sifuentes
Stevan Salazar Silva
Ian Patrick Simmons
Julia Mercedes Spencer
Gabriel Alexander Stacy
Sheridan Ashlynn Steen
William George Teichman IV
Bradley Davis Thering
Natalie Jenee Trevino
Helena Elise Van Maren
David Antonio Villarreal
Claire Isabel Walsh
Justyce Layne West
Christopher Richard Yanez
Alexandria Nikole Ybarra
William Allen Yeager
Dalton Montgomery Zawicky
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1. Jullian Brown
2. Ceremony at St. Patrick Catholic Church
3. Joseph Cook and Andrew Canales
4. Meagan Harrington and Danielle Harrel
5. Nicole Flanigan, Catherine Schultz, Haley Guerra,
Kennedy Quintanilla, Mary Matl, and Madeline Martinez
6. Michael Rock, Christopher Yanez, Gabriel Stacy,
Travis Brown, David Barrera, Jesus Mireles, Steven Silva,
and Michael Sifuentes
7. Marykathryn Charles with her family.
8. Michael Rock and Pablo Rivera
9. Victoria Rangel with her family.
10. William Tiechman, Danielle Harrel, and Sheridan Steen
11. Noah Garcia with his parents.
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Visit iwacc.org/gallery to view more photos from the graduation ceremony.
THE MESSENGER
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Congratulations Class of 2013!
Blessing for all Graduates
B
efore you were even formed, God knew you. While in your mother’s womb, God named
you. At your birth, God’s breath filled you with life. Today we celebrate what you have
become at this moment in time. And so we pray. God of our beginnings, we thank You
for the gifts of these graduates, their excitement, their awesome wonder and curiosity, their
open speech, and encouraging words. Their contributions have blessed and challenged us.
We have become a richer and more diverse community because of them. As they step forward
into the world that awaits, comfort their fears with the full knowledge of Your divine presence.
Strengthen their resolve to walk in the footsteps of Jesus as modern-day disciples in a world
that needs their spirit. Guide their feet as they move through life, protecting them from the pitfalls of darkness while
they help to lead future generations into the warmth and promise of Your light. We ask this blessing upon each of them.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN
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