In a year like no other, the Class of 2021 showed us countless times just how resilient they were.

When we returned to school last September, it was with hope that the situation would improve. Two stay-at-home orders later, their Senior year came to an abrupt end in April.

Undoubtedly a challenging year, the Class of 2021 rallied and graduated on June 22nd, collectively earning over $1.2 million dollars in scholarship offers and have accepted positions in some of the most prestigious schools in Canada and the US. This year's graduating class has 41% of its graduates heading off to Science, Technology and Engineering programmes, 19% to Mathematics, Business and Commerce programmes and 40% into the Arts and Social Science realm.

The graduates and their families gathered for a virtual ceremony, beginning with mass celebrated by Father Leung of St. Michael's College School. The mass was a fitting way to start the graduation ceremonies, thanking God for the blessings each student has received and for the many ways in which they have blessed the HNMCS community.

Director of Student Life, Kathryn Anderson, welcomed everyone to the ceremony and Head of School, Carrie Hughes-Grant addressed the girls & their families. Keynote speaker Maura Fox, Transformation expert and Trusted Advisor to multinational Global 1000 corporations, addressed the graduating class. She had some wonderful words of wisdom for our graduates; Be confident - HNMCS has prepared you for your future - pick up that ball and run with it, Be brave, Be curious & open to new opportunities, and Be resilient - buck each other up.

The graduates also heard from Salutarorian Kaitlyn van Eyk and Valedictorian Christina Schleifer, both who spoke fondly about their high school journey, including camps they attended, choir & other clubs and the teams they were on, and were thankful for the wonderful teachers & mentors they had.

Graduation Stats & Awards

Once again, we have 100% university acceptance and 100% of our graduates were Ontario Scholars (having attained an average of 80% or higher). Four students received the Legacy Award, for their ongoing contributions during their attendance at the school from grades 5 through 12 and 6 students received the prestigious M Award, that celebrates not only the academic achievement of students, but the overall contributions that a student makes to the betterment of student life and the larger school community at HNMCS throughout their Senior School years.

Special awards recognizing the unique gifts of the Class of 2021:

Sister Celestine Giertych Social Justice Award: Jessica Baggetta
Basilian Fathers Catholic Student Award: Katja Steinbock
Award of Merit: Christina Schleifer
Academic Excellence Award: Christina Schleifer
The Governor General of Canada Medal: Christina Schleifer
The University of Toronto National Book Award: Jessica Baggetta
The Inspiring Leadership Award: Clara Dmytryshyn
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award: Ruby Zhang
Spirit Award: Kaitlyn van Eyk
HNMCS Arts Award: Victoria Carone
HNMCS Stars Award: Grace Montemurro
Marilena Tesoro Legacy Award: Fayble Shawera

We extend our sincere congratulations to the Class of 2021 on their graduation and wish them every success for the future.

Pictures on this page are from a special drive thru graduation event created by Ms. Anderson on June 18th. We had the privilege of sharing with our graduates and their families in what is truly a special milestone in life, albeit it was not the way anyone envisioned-- seeing the joy on each of their faces and the pride their parents felt about their outstanding accomplishments, was no different than any other graduating class.