Valedictorian
Rachel Erin Gregory is the class of 2021 valedictorian. She is the daughter of Ingrid and Glenn Gregory of Rutland. She attended Christ the King School prior to her enrollment at MSJ. While in attendance, Rachel Gregory maintained high academic honors throughout her career, and was actively involved in a variety of clubs and activities, including the Josephite Chapter of the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and National Spanish Honor Society and was elected student body secretary in her senior year. In addition, Gregory earned varsity letters and was a team captain in cheer and softball, and represented MSJ as an academy host/student ambassador.
Gregory will be attending Boston College in the fall pursuing a degree in nursing.
Salutatorian
Ella Rose Paquin is the class of 2021 salutatorian. She is the daughter of Kelley Paquin of West Rutland and Keith Paquin of Rutland; she attended West Rutland School prior to her enrollment at MSJ.
While in attendance at MSJ, Ella Paquin maintained high academic honors throughout her career and was a member of the Josephite Chapter of the National Honor Society. She was actively involved in a variety of clubs and activities; she was elected senior representative to the student government in her senior year, and was a varsity letter winner and team captain in basketball and softball, and represented MSJ as an academy host/student ambassador.
A UVM Green and Gold Scholar, Paquin will be attending the University of Vermont – Grossman School of Business in the fall.
2021 Veritas et Puritas Award
Each year Mount Saint Joseph Academy honors one or more members of the graduating class with the Veritas et Puritas Award. The phrase Veritas et Puritas translates as “truth and purity” and has been the motto of the academy since its founding in 1882 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph.
Recipients of this annual award are chosen based on the following criteria:
- Authentic Faith: The student expresses in their life a sincere faith in God and a desire to live out the theological virtues of faith, hope and love (charity) in their daily interactions with students, faculty, and staff.
- A Spirit of Positivity and Respect: The student is consistently positive and respectful towards those they encounter. The student is hard working, kind, compassionate, and reflects the teachings of Jesus on love, mercy, compassion, and acceptance in their life.
- A True Appreciation for the School Community: The student exhibits a genuine appreciation for their MSJ education and demonstrates gratitude for their ability to have been a member of the MSJ community and the opportunities an MSJ education afforded them.
Additionally, the student is committed to serving others through acts of kindness and generosity, and reflects the Academy’s mission of making a more just world possible.
This year Mount Saint Joseph Academy is proud to award Pearl Anne Bellomo the 2021 Veritas et Puritas Award. She is the daughter of Anthony and Audrey Bellomo. Pearl Bellomo attended Christ the King School prior to her enrollment at MSJ, where she maintained high academic honors and was member of the Josephite Chapter of the National Honor Society, the Josephite Chapter of the National Art Honor Society, a dedicated four-year member of the MSJ music department, and a varsity athlete in cross country, cheer, and tennis where she served as captain her senior year.
Bellomo has also served her school as a academy host/student ambassador, and is a recipient of the 2021 City of Rutland Scholarship. Bellomo will be attending Castleton University in the fall.
This year Mount Saint Joseph Academy is proud to award Makayla Jane Williams the 2021 Veritas et Puritas Award. She is the daughter of Donald and Robin Williams. Makayla Williams attended Wallingford Elementary School and Mill River Union High School prior to attending Mount Saint Joseph Academy, where she has maintained high academic honors, and was a member of the Josephite Chapter of the National Honor Society as well as the Josephite Chapter of the National Spanish Honor Society. Williams earned varsity letters in cheer, basketball, and softball and has been a longtime and dedicated member of Miss Lorraine’s School of Dance.
Williams has also served her school as a academy host/student ambassador, and will be attending The Catholic University of America in the fall.
