Crescents Honored at Fall Awards Ceremony

Cabrini High School celebrated the accomplishments of its students, faculty, staff, and alumnae during the 2026 Academic Awards Presentation, recognizing a year marked by outstanding academic achievement, leadership, service, and dedication to the Cabrini mission.

The ceremony began with the presentation of the Alumnae Legacy Scholarship, honoring current Crescents whose families share a multigenerational connection to Cabrini. This year’s recipients were Lorena Gonsoulin ’27, daughter of Michelle Bonnaffons Gonsoulin ’86 and sister of Aimee Gonsoulin ’19; Janae Haynes ’27, daughter of Nicole Haynes ’06 and granddaughter of Sabrina Haynes ’73; and Presley Kish ’28, sister of Vivienne Kish ’26.

Students were then recognized for earning the highest averages in their courses during the 2025-2026 school year, with academic pins presented across English, religion, social studies, science, mathematics, world languages, physical education, fine arts, theater, and dual enrollment courses. Several students earned the highest average in multiple courses, demonstrating exceptional achievement across disciplines.

Cabrini also celebrated students whose performance on Advanced Placement exams earned national recognition from the College Board. Josephine Bacino, Lorena Gonsoulin, Ava Leger, Bailey May, Jordin McFarland, and Chloe Solomon were recognized as AP Scholars. Reilly May and Emily Zavala Maldonado earned AP Scholar with Honor recognition, while Madeleine Comeaux, Catherine O’Neill, and Scarlett Ruiz were recognized as AP Scholars with Distinction.

Members of Cabrini’s AP Club of Excellence were also honored. The Club of Excellence recognizes students who have earned a score of 4 or 5 on an AP Exam during their Cabrini careers while also acknowledging the Cabrini educators who helped prepare them for that achievement. This year’s honorees were Sabine Noveh, Maci Williams, Josephine Bacino, Madeleine Comeaux, Avery Crescioni, Lorena Gonsoulin, Journi Jefferson, Ava Leger, Bailey May, Reilly May, Catherine O’Neill, Scarlett Ruiz, Chloe Solomon, and Emily Zavala Maldonado.

Another highlight was the recognition of Cabrini’s 2026 PreACT Rising Stars, a national program honoring exceptional performance on the PreACT. Fifteen Crescents earned Rising Scholar recognition for scoring between the 90th and 96th percentiles nationally: Lily Abadie, Semaj Belizeard, Omari Buckner, Evie Castillon, Kamryn Creel, Fiona DiPaola, Gabriella Goodick, Kayla Gorrondona, Eva Indenhoek, Renee Killian, Micah Mosely, Eleia Perriott, Peri Smith, Maci Williams, and Sofia Zavala.

Five students achieved the program’s highest level, Distinguished Scholar, for scoring in the 97th percentile or higher nationally: Emily Briseno, Kayla Gorrondona, Ava Partain, Claire Stiegler, and Sofia Zavala.

Cabrini also presented Academic Letter Awards to juniors and seniors who earned a GPA of 3.75 or higher during the 2025-2026 school year. Twenty-eight members of the Class of 2027 and 19 members of the Class of 2028 earned this distinction, reflecting the depth of academic excellence throughout Cabrini’s upper grades.

Academic achievement was joined by recognition of students who put Cabrini’s commitment to leadership into action over the summer. Seven students were honored for their work with the inaugural Cabrini Leadership Academy. These student leaders helped develop curriculum and devoted two weeks of their summer to leading prospective Crescents through workshops and discussions centered on academics, service, faith, co-curricular involvement, and other dimensions of leadership. Josie Bacino, Lorena Gonsoulin, Omari Buckner, Fiona DiPaola, Gabriella Goodick, Mary Harris, and Sophia Zavala received special leadership pins in recognition of the time, talent, and example they shared.

Ten student leaders were also recognized for representing Cabrini at the inaugural Mother Cabrini Leadership Summit at the Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, Colorado. Through prayer, formation, service, fellowship, and time spent immersed in the legacy of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the students explored what it means to lead with faith and purpose. Josie Bacino, Lorena Gonsoulin, Gianna Jackson, Khloe Plaisance, Isabella Rodi, Scarlett Ruiz, Lindsey Thibodeaux, Audrey Wright, Emily Zavala Maldonado, and Kamryn Creel received commemorative Philippians 4:13 pins recognizing their participation and continued commitment to leadership in the spirit of Mother Cabrini.

The celebration extended beyond student achievement as Cabrini honored members of its faculty and staff for extraordinary dedication to the school. Maureen Walsh was recognized for 15 years of service; Michelle Fortier, 20 years; Jeannine Simeon, 25 years; Melanie Heraty, 30 years; and Vivian Coutin, an extraordinary 45 years of service to Cabrini High School.

New members of the Cabrini community were also welcomed with the presentation of Cabrini pins, symbolizing their place within a community united by the mission and legacy of Mother Cabrini.

From academic excellence in the classroom and nationally recognized test performance to leadership, service, and decades of dedication, the 2026 Academic Awards Presentation celebrated what it means to be a Crescent.