Normalcy was elusive for the Riverside Academy Class of 2022. They were sophomores when the pandemic began and juniors when it became a daily challenge. Just when it seemed that things would return to somewhat normal, Hurricane Ida came along and changed everything.

But they persevered. And on Wednesday, May 18, the finally graduated — all 29 of them — in a sunset ceremony held on the football field. It was the last for longtime senior sponsor Genevieve Gomez and the first for new principal Holly Haase. Cary Lynn Berthelot, a 1992 graduate, delivered the Keynote Address.

The Valedictorian was Jaycee Bennett.

The Salutatorian was Emily Weidert.

The Student of the Year was Jaycee Bennett.

The Principal’s Awards went to Jaycee Bennett and Andrew Jung.

The Knights of Columbus Patriotic Award went to Joshua Beadle.

The Terrence and Toni Anne Harvey Scholarship Award went to Christian Louque and Mason Forsythe.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Ronald Jung

The graduates prepare to walk onto the football field on May 18 for graduation.

The Graduates:

Kelvinte Barber, Jr.

Joshua Beadle

Darian Beshears II

Jayden Dillon

Nicholas Ellis

Mason Forsythe

Kevin Gray, Jr.

Andrew Jung

Juan Smith, Jr.

Rafael Villarreal, Jr.

Haeden Wahden

Jaycee Bennett

Alysa Epperly

Layken Epperly

Alonah Felton

Alyssa Haase

Anaiah Harvey

Zora Horne

Christian Louque

Sophia Mason

Haley Millet

Adonijah Mills

Amiya Morris

Karleigh Orgeron

Marne Pierre

Gabrielle Treas

Emily Weidert

Trinity Zeringue