5 Dedham Seniors Receive Diplomas From Ursuline Academy

Even "Waldo" made an appearance at this year's graduation.

Ursuline senior Anna Dolan alluded to the popular children's series "Where's Waldo?" during her valedictory speech.

"Though there were many imposters, there was only one Waldo," Dolan said. "Waldo reminds me of the Ursuline girl."

Sixty-three Ursuline students accepted their high school diplomas during Sunday's graduation ceremony.

Five Dedham residents finished their Ursuline careers as well: Katherine Kenney, Caroline Slason, Alyssa Tavalone, Sylvia Sarkis and Deirdre McLaughlin. Each Dedham student graduated as National Honor Society members.

Senior Katherine Dennis delivered the ceremony's salutatory address. Dennis said her time at Ursuline shaped the person she became. 

"Were it not for Ursuline, for its challenging and personal environment, I would not be the person I am today," Dennis said. 

Ursuline principal Mary Jo Keaney anticipates this year's graduates will carry on the school's tradition of helping young women reach their potential. 

"The girls leave Ursuline," Keaney said, "but Ursuline never leaves them."

Keaney, a 1982 Ursuline graduate, said members of this year's class has honored one another as classmates throughout their high school careers. Each student expresses herself differently, but the class has displayed a strong commitment to family and community. 

"The girls receive a nice validation [at Ursuline]," Keaney said. "We encourage them to reach for the starts, but every star is a little bit different."

Megan Golden Hobson, a 1985 Ursuline graduate, addressed graduates as the ceremony's keynote speaker. Golden Hobson followed up her high school career by earning a bachelor's degree in economics and accounting from Holy Cross in 1989 and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business six years later. 

Golden Hobson emphasized Ursuline played a critical role in her success following graduation.  

"My [time] at Ursuline was the springboard to my journey," Golden Hobson said. "The same can be said for the graduates here today."

The Holy Cross graduate urged this year's class to trust their "inner gut" when facing future challenges.

"To gain respect, you'll first need to respect yourself," Golden Hobson said. "Your confidence will shine through if you do this well."

This year's graduates will look to make their mark on the world, regardless of where their journey takes them.

"Unlike Waldo, we are never lost in the crowd," Dolan said. "We stand out immediately."