Mustangs Celebrate Graduation From Immaculate High School In Danbury

**News Release Submitted by Immaculate High School**

June 9, 2025

“If you want to distinguish yourself, distinguish yourself in kindness.”

That’s what beloved teacher, Fine Arts Department Chair and keynote speaker Jen Doherty told Immaculate’s graduating Class of 2025 on Saturday, June 7 in Mustang Valley.

Doherty, who was chosen by students to speak at their graduation, commended Mustangs for their academic achievements but said commencement was about another milestone too. “We also celebrate that today begins your next chapter, the chapter you will own–the chapter that for the first time will be a reflection of your choices, the friends you make, the career path you take,” she told students. “Those decisions will be yours and yours alone. But you are not alone.” Doherty reminded graduates that God is an ever-present force in their lives.

Immaculate has been providing a rigorous Catholic college-prep education to students from 28 communities in Connecticut and New York since 1962. The school prides itself in offering a holistic approach to education that nurtures each student's mind, body and spirit. Speakers at the graduation ceremony included Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves, Diocese of Bridgeport Superintendent of Schools Stacie Stueber, Immaculate Board of Directors Chairperson Joseph T. Draper, Monsignor Robert E. Weiss and the class Valedictorian.

Keira Licursi of Cross River, NY was the Class of 2025’s Valedictorian and Nicole Merritt of Danbury, CT was its Salutatorian. Of the 86 members of the graduating class, 100 percent of students who applied to colleges and universities were accepted and were offered scholarships and grants totaling $35 million.

Licursi told classmates if there was anything they’d proved over the past four years, it was that they don’t give up. “As I look out across this tent, I see so many different possibilities for us. I see future lawyers, doctors, nurses, engineers, businessmen, businesswomen and all sorts of paths. What we all share, though, is a sense of tenacity,” she said. “I see a future in which we all turn our hard work and dedication into impactful and fulfilling livelihoods. I see a future in which we unapologetically be ourselves and forge a path to success.”

This year’s graduates earned acceptances at a host of top schools including Boston College, Georgetown University, the University of Connecticut, Vassar College, Villanova University, Providence College, Northeastern University, Tulane University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, American University, George Washington University, the Catholic University of America, the University of South Carolina, the University of Delaware, Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University.

Valedictorian Keira Licursi will be attending Vassar College where she plans to study Psychological Science and pursue a career in clinical psychology. Licursi received a first prize $50,000 STEM scholarship from The Angeles T. Arredondo Foundation that will pay her college costs. She was the president of the school’s Mathematics Honor Society chapter and was a member of the National English Honors Society, Science National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. She is a guitarist, bassist, percussionist and vocalist at the School of Rock in Ridgefield and a bassist with a local band “Tickbite.” Licursi was the creative director of Immaculate’s yearbook, played junior varsity volleyball and also worked at Long Ridge Camp as a counselor in Stamford. In her spare time, she likes to write music as well as attend concerts and professional wrestling shows.

Salutatorian Nicole Merritt will be attending the University of Connecticut where she plans to study Allied Health Services and pursue a possible career in sports medicine. She received the UConn Presidential Scholars Award which is a four-year full tuition scholarship. Merritt was president of the Science National Honor Society and secretary of the English National Honor Society at Immaculate. She was also captain of the Girls Indoor and Outdoor Track Team and the Girls Volleyball Team. Merritt received First Team All-State and First Team All-Conference honors, plus was a CIAC Player of the Week finalist. She works as a lifeguard at the New Milford Tennis and Swim Club. In her free time, Merritt enjoys spending time outdoors hiking on trails, running or relaxing at the beach.

Charles Doran of Danbury was named Immaculate High School’s Student of the Year for the 2024-25 school year. This award recognizes a student who exhibits school spirit, strength of character, faith in action and a passion for learning. He will be attending Boston College where he will major in Finance and pursue a career in investment banking or financial planning. At Immaculate, Doran was the captain of the Mock Trial team. He was also a member of the National English Honor Society, Mathematics National Honor Society, Social Studies National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Model UN and Campus Ministry. He played on the Varsity Tennis Team, volunteered at Dorothy Day Hospitality House and also works at Stew Leonard’s. In his spare time, Doran likes to travel, read and go on hikes and walks with his dog. He is one of the school's Top Ten graduating students.

The remaining seven students rounding out Immaculate’s Top Ten (in alphabetical order) are: Sophie Ahlberg of Danbury who will attend Providence College, Kristina Asmani of Norwalk who will attend Regis College, Sarah Caruso of Danbury who will attend Sacred Heart University, Maris Chirayil of Danbury who will attend the University of Connecticut, Ryan Hatcher of Sherman who is attending Northeastern University, Molly Miraglia of Ridgefield who is attending Sacred Heart University and Melena Ventresca of Sandy Hook who is attending the Catholic University of America.

Giving Back

The Immaculate High School graduating Class of 2025 contributed 4,100 hours to a school-wide total of 21,196 hours of community service this year. Many students were honored and/or received scholarships from local community service organizations and the Diocese of Bridgeport for their service and academic achievements. The Gold Award for performing more than 250 hours of community service this year was awarded to Kristina Asmani of Norwalk. Jozef Bachleda of Mahopac, NY and Charles Doran of Danbury received a Silver Award for performing 175-249 community service hours. And the following graduates earned a Bronze Award for completing 100-175 hours of service: Samuel Crowe of Danbury, Arthur DaSilva of Danbury, Nicole Falcao of Danbury, Patrick Garcia of Danbury, Amanda Glacy of Danbury, Elizabeth Mitchell of New Milford, Ibrahim Omran of Danbury, Amalia Tuccinardi of Bethel, Michael Volpe of Brewster, NY and Rick Wang of Stamford.