Above: Friends and classmates from the Columbia campus.
Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy celebrated the graduation of 53 students from its Columbia Road, Lower Mills, and Neponset campuses during a June 4 commencement ceremony at BC High’s McNiece Pavilion.
The Class of 2026 was led by three valedictorians: Avada Schneider of the Columbia Road campus, Esiah McGauley of the Lower Mills campus, and Alanna Truong of the Neponset campus.
Daniel “Danny” Cueva (above), a Lower Mills campus alumnus from the Class of 2009, delivered the keynote address. Cueva, who began at the academy as a K2 student and later served as class president, went on to graduate from Boston College High School in 2013, then earned degrees from Boston College and the University of Liverpool. He now works in the Boston area as an operations manager at Cara Group Travel.
He told the graduates that he saw something familiar in their faces. “I look out at each of you and see myself,” he said. “While our passions may be different and our paths most certainly are, we come from a common foundation.”
Members of the class of ’26 from the Lower Mills campus. Courtesy photos
Cueva spoke about growing up in Dorchester near Ashmont Station as the son of immigrants from Honduras and El Salvador, and credited his family’s sacrifice and work ethic with giving him the support and guidance that shaped his life.
“This is the same foundation of values that SJP Academy built on, instilling the importance of gratitude, mindfulness, and community within its students,” he said.
The ceremony also included several campus awards.
The St. Brigid of Kildare Award, honoring the legacy of the religious sisters who opened and staffed Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Boston, was presented to Yawilka Tejeda of Columbia Road, Eliana Taylor-Young of Lower Mills, and Faith Greene of Neponset.
The St. Patrick Award, given to young men who have grown in integrity, character, and love of God, went to Ethan Smith of Columbia Road, David Obas of Lower Mills, and Chinedu Ikwuanusi of Neponset.
Boys from the Neponset campus joined in a group photo on graduation day.
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Award, recognizing unconditional love, inclusivity, respect, and perseverance, was presented to Ellany De Miranda of Columbia Road, Jalexa Fernandez of Lower Mills, and Juan Vazquez of Neponset.
The Saint Kizito Award, given to students who exemplify strong values and faith, service to others, and commitment to God, went to Diego Fonseca Cruz of Columbia Road, Stephen Peevy of Lower Mills, and Philip Emmanuel Perez of Neponset.
The Spirit of Saint John Paul II Award, selected by peers for students who foster respect and demonstrate peace, love, and patience, was presented to Margarita Centeio of Columbia Road, Xavier Jonathas of Lower Mills, and Norah Forry of Neponset.
The graduating class included 13 students from Columbia Road, 22 from Lower Mills, and 18 from Neponset.
2026 Columbia Road Graduates
Derick Beltre Arias
Margarita Centeio
Ellany Ramos De Miranda
Adrian Dixon-Gonzalez
Luisandel Fernandez-Peguero
Diego Fonseca Cruz
Cameron George-Bowen
Deani Nova
Andrea Osorio
McKenna Powers
Avada Schneider
Ethan Smith
Yawilka Tejeda
2026 Lower Mills Graduates
Eithan Annon
Athan Benoit
Na’Zyia Cameron
Jayden Dorcely
David Obas
Amelia Edmund
Jalexa Fernandez
Layla Green
Prince Jean-Mary
Mitzrael Jeannite
Xavier Jonathas
Kaylynn Joseph
Erodina Jules
Lyara Magloire
Esiah McGauley
Jeneijah Murray-Eloi
Stephen Peevy
Meelhan Lopes Silveira
Justin St. Julus
Samori Tate
Nardia Taylor
Eliana Taylor-Young
2026 Neponset campus graduates
Aulani Adamson Hawkesworth
Norah Forry
Devlin Gaspard
Faith Greene
Aliah Hamilton
Cullen Hegarty
Derrick Hoang
Chinedu Ikwuanusi
Zavion Lopes
Philip Perez
Kristina Pollard
Elise Ruiz
Monique Sweatman
Olivia Tran
Alanna Truong
Juan Vazquez
Olivia Whitcomb
Lenise Young
–REPORTER STAFF
