海角大神

New Orleans often showcases overcoming adversity (hurricanes) and exemplifies jubilation (Mardi Gras). In that sense, one graduation class is a mirror of its hometown.聽

A in their purple gowns is going viral.聽

They鈥檝e got a lot to celebrate.聽

The entire senior class (100 young men) has been accepted into college (and one is joining the U.S. military). That alone isn鈥檛 unusual. School officials say this is the 11th consecutive year of hitting that mark. (The national average is a .)

But there鈥檚 more. This year鈥檚 graduates of the private prep school also secured a school record $9.2 million in scholarships. (That鈥檚 an average of $92,000 per student.)

And this senior class has shown resilience. Like many across the country, St. Augustine students pushed through a year of remote classes due to the pandemic. They were also forced to take a 2陆-week virtual break thanks to Hurricane Ida (last fall). That was followed by loss of athletic facilities after a fire in the gymnasium. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e faced adversity ... and crossed the finish line with a sense of purpose,鈥� says Mel Cordier, director of communications at St. Augustine. And he notes, the scholarship tally 鈥渟ays a lot about their perseverance.鈥�

As a Roman Catholic boys鈥� school, character building is a core principle. 鈥淲e lead with Christ. We pray before and after every class,鈥� Mr. Cordier says. An expectation of excellence, he says, produces young Black men who 鈥渒now that whether it鈥檚 at a job interview, on the basketball court, or pursuing a college scholarship, you belong in that space.鈥澛�

Today, they own the space of joy.