Class of 2023 Announced

May 30, 2023

          The 10^thgraduating class of St. Katharine Drexel Preparatory School received diplomas following a Baccalaureate Mass on May 19 at 10:00a.m. in St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church. The Mass was celebrated by Reverend Daniel Green who delivered a thought-provoking homily based on the size of this graduating class, and he left the graduates with an observation. He pointed out that because there were only seven of them, they had the advantage of receiving special personal attention from their teachers; but, more so, they had the opportunity of creating a real sisterhood in which they were able to know each of their SKDP classmates on a much deeper level. In her closing remarks, Amayieh Davis, one of the “Magnificent Seven,” personally addressed each of her classmates by name and encapsulated in two or three sentences the outstanding characteristics and talents that each one brought to the sisterhood. These intimate observations would not have been possible if the class had been larger.
     The seven members of the graduating class received their diplomas from Ms. Ingrid Fields, associate superintendent; Eric J. Smith, principal; and Sister Margaret Mary Friesenhahn, S.S.N.D., religious head of the school. Congratulatory remarks were delivered by Ms. Ingrid Fields; Ms. Melanie Robinson, president of the SKDP Board of Directors; and representatives of the Xavier Prep Classes of ’63, ’73. and ’83 who were celebrating their own sixtieth, fiftieth, and fortieth anniversaries of graduation respectively.
     The Class of 2023 acknowledged as the “Prima Scholastica” the young lady who joined the class in her sophomore year and who had the highest GPA in the class: Amayieh M. Davis. She is the daughter of Dominique Minor and A. Michael Davis. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the SKDP Ambassadors, was president of the Student Council, drum major of the SKDP marching band, and manager of the basketball team. She was chaplain of the Student Council and captain of the track and field team her junior year. She enjoyed doing community service at Celebration Church and at the New Orleans Public Defenders Office. Amayieh received the St. Francis Xavier Award for Outstanding School Spirit and Service to Others, the Principal’s Award for Consistent Service to the School in Special Ways, the Ann D. Zanders Award for Service and Leadership, and the Raymond Jones Band Service Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Band.
     Amayieh was accepted into 10 universities and was offered well over $400,000 in college scholarships. She has opted to attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall where she will pursue a major in computer science because she enjoys “creating things from scratch.”
   Valedictorian is Charli A. Jones, the daughter of Julic Ramsey and the late Charles Jones. Charli was a member of the National Honor Society, the Student Council, and the SKDP Ambassadors. She is a student teacher at the Centre Stage School of Dance, and she was a 2023 Zulu Maid. Charli received the Sister Eileen Sullivan Award for Outstanding Courage, Service, and Spirit and the Nellie Bowman Award for Fine Womanhood, Courage, and Determination.
     Charli was accepted into 18 universities and was offered over $307,312 in scholarships. She will attend LSU where she plans to major in Sports Administration. Her future goal is to practice sports law.
     Salutatorian is Kellee V. Jackson, the daughter of Kelvin and Lee Ammie Jackson of Harvey. Kellee was a member of the National Honor Society and the Student Council. She played volleyball for four years and participated in basketball for three.   She was a member of the National Honor Society, senior class president, and Student Council class representative. At the Honors Night Ceremony, she was presented with the prestigious St. Katharine Drexel Award for Christian Womanhood and Use of Talents in Service to Others, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament Award for Eucharistic Spirit and Profound Understanding of the Mission and Values of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, and the Sister M. Columbiere Award for Dedication, Generosity, and Positive Spirit.
     Kellee was accepted into 10 universities and was offered over $200,000 in college scholar-ships. She has opted to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the fall where she will pursue a major in computer science. She plans to work in cybersecurity and would like to see more women who look like her dominate this field of study.
     Also graduating with honors is Ijah Z. Warren.
    Remaining graduates are: Jayden A. Clomon, Paris P. Robertson, and Ma’Kaila A. Sylvester.
   In total, this small class garnered over $1,000,000 in college scholarships.