Saint John’s School
Seventieth Annual
Commencement Exercises
Class of 2026
Friday, May 29, 2026
Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré Ponce de León Avenue
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Our Mission
Saint John's School fosters academic excellence and individual talents, empowering students to become compassionate lifelong learners and ethical catalysts of change in an inclusive environment.
Core Values
Promote global citizenship.
Encourage resourcefulness, adaptability, and tenacity.
Inspire a growth mindset.
Cultivate creativity and innovation.
Foster intellectual curiosity.
Instill conscientious leadership.
Embrace diversity.
Nurture individual abilities and talents.
Strive for excellence in all we do.
Profile of the Graduate
A graduate of Saint John's School pursues excellence in all endeavors, and is:
A happy, healthy, and balanced individual.
An excellent communicator and productive collaborator.
A culturally appreciative person.
A life-long learner and critical thinker.
An engaged and socially responsible local and global agent of change.
Program
Processional
National Anthems
Secondary Division Principal’s Opening Remarks
Legacy Recognition
Class President’s Remarks
Presentation of Awards
Head of School’s Remarks
Presentation of Diplomas
Board of Trustees Chair’s Remarks
School Song
Secondary Division Principal’s Closing Remarks
Recessional
Class of 2026
María Victoria Alameda Ramos
Roberto Carlos Alfonso Martínez
Fabiola Isabel Alsina Padín
Susana Barlia Biton
Adrián David Bernier Fuentes
Maren Eleanor Besser
Adriana Isabel Blanes Haigler
Isabel Bringas Berríos
Aurora Isabelle Camuñas Colón
Didier Japhet Chérubin
Ana Carola Cintrón Acosta
Carlos Hernán Cobián Suárez
Marella Colón Le Compte
Camilla Beatriz de Iraola
Javier Enrique de la Cruz Villares
Diego Amir Del Amo Martínez
Aren Samuel Finelt
Andrea Sofía Fuentes Rovira
Penélope Fuentes Rivera
Juergen Gabriel Gaa
Mónica Sofía García Pérez
Alejandro José Gierbolini Esteva
Elliott III Giraud Talavera
Tatiana Lily González Vélez
Class of 2026
María Gloria González-Maldonado
Iñigo Esteban Gould González
Joaquín Alberto Guardiola Cossío
Paulina Isabel Higuera Toro
Anayah Ignacio Otero
Juliana Isabelle Imbert López
Tyler Patt Kuo
Nóam José Lago Edry
Andrea Camila Lantigua Martínez
Paula Isabel López Rodríguez
Isabella López-Torres Silva
Mariola Isabel Lugo González
Gabriella Sophia Maldonado Morales
Giancarlo Martínez Soto
Kamila Morales Curet
Julianna Teresita Murray Paraliticci
Inès María Isolina Nafati
Uma Navarrete Sallaberry
Rafael Manuel Antonio Ortiz
Carolina Ortiz Fuentes
Ignacio Salvador Pedraza Arroyo
Eduardo José Pereyó Jiménez
Gian Marco Piovanetti Lopez
Alejandro Enrique Porrata Villar
Class of 2026
Lola Luna Ramos
Alejandro Luis Rodríguez Galarza
Cecilia Isabel Rodríguez Lugo
Nalani Román Villalobos
Mardi Victoria Roques Colón
Ariana Del Mar Rosado Ortega
Juan Emmanuel Rueda Bellotti
Juan Ignacio Rueda Bellotti
Tatiana Isabel Santiago Muñiz
Morgan Mcqueen Schuessler, III
Giovannah Lorena Semper Cabezudo
Quan Kevin Shan
Olivia Bella Smart
Spiros Giouvany Torres Baez
Juan Pablo Torres Pellens
Kai Adriano Vázquez Savarit
Emilia Adele Velasco Gigante
Jeremmy Daniel Velázquez Cuberos
Narayana Villanueva Perez
Stella Isabel Watlington Morales
Mariana Virginia Wingard
Cyrus Swifty Wunker
Lara Asmahan Yassin Shehadeh
Xiao Ling
Legacy
Susana Barlia Biton
Father - Guilad Barlia '91
Mother - Evelyn Biton Barlia '96
Adriana Isabel Blanes Haigler
Father - Rafael Blanes '97
Isabel Bringas Berríos
Mother - Nannette Berríos '93
Joaquín Alberto Guardiola Cossío
Father - Carlos Guardiola '86
Alejandro Enrique Porrata Villar
Mother - Glendys Villar '91
Juan Emmanuel Rueda Bellotti
Juan Ignacio Rueda Bellotti
Mother - Berenice Bellotti ‘86
Lara Asmahan Yassin Shehadeh
Father - Dr. Sultan Yassin '97
Survivors
Roberto Carlos Alfonso Martínez
Fabiola Isabel Alsina Padín
Susana Barlia Biton
Adriana Isabel Blanes Haigler
Isabel Bringas Berríos
Carlos Hernán Cobián Suárez
Marella Colón Le Compte
Diego Amir Del Amo Martínez
Andrea Sofía Fuentes Rovira
Penélope Fuentes Rivera
Mónica Sofía García Pérez
Elliott III Giraud Talavera
Joaquín Alberto Guardiola Cossío
Anayah Ignacio Otero
Paula Isabel López Rodríguez
Isabella López-Torres Silva
Uma Navarrete Sallaberry
Eduardo José Pereyó Jiménez
Alejandro Enrique Porrata Villar
Alejandro Luis Rodríguez Galarza
Cecilia Isabel Rodríguez Lugo
Mardi Victoria Roques Colón
Ariana Del Mar Rosado Ortega
Juan Emmanuel Rueda Bellotti
Juan Ignacio Rueda Bellotti
Tatiana Isabel Santiago Muñiz
Kai Adriano Vázquez Savarit
Stella Isabel Watlington Morales
Lara Asmahan Yassin Shehadeh
Cords and Stoles
AP Capstone
Athletics
French Honor Society
Green Key Society
International Thespian Society
Italian Honor Society
Legacy
Legacy (Double)
Musical
National Honor Society
Rho Kappa Honor Society
Student Council
Center for Ethical Leadership
Legacy Recognition
Teal cord
Green and white double cord
Red, white, and blue cord
Green and silver
Gold and white cord with ITS logo
Red, white, and green cord
Green and gold cord
Green, gold, and white cord
Gold and blue cord
White stole with NHS logo
Blue and white double cord
White stole with NatStuCo logo
Orange cord
Student must have a parent or grandparent who graduated from Saint John’s School.
Awards
President's Award for Educational Achievement
Student must have maintained a cumulative B+ average in all classes throughout the year and meet specific criteria as established by the principal.
President's Award for Educational Excellence
Student must have maintained a cumulative A- average in all classes throughout the year and meet specific criteria as established by the principal
José Félix Alegría Award
Student has the highest-grade point average in the History of Puerto Rico class.
Cum Laude Society Recognition
Student must have been in high school at Saint John’s School for at least three consecutive years with a GPA that falls within the top 10% of the class.
Saint John's Scholar
Awarded to the senior who has attained the third highest grade point average, or who has a grade point average equal to that of the Valedictorian or Salutatorian, and who has been a student in the high school for at least two consecutive years. In the case that there are students who are candidates for this award who have been here for four consecutive years, three consecutive years, or only two consecutive years, the GPA will be calculated based solely on the junior and senior year grades.
Salutatorian
Student has been in high school at Saint John’s School for four consecutive years and has attained the second highest GPA.
Valedictorian
Student has been in high school at Saint John’s School for four consecutive years and has attained the highest GPA.
Department Awards
Spanish Department Award
Student has maintained an outstanding GPA in Spanish while taking the most challenging Spanish program for three consecutive years at Saint John’s School.
English Department Award
Student has maintained an outstanding GPA in English while taking the most challenging English program for three consecutive years at Saint John’s School.
Science Department Award
Student has maintained an outstanding GPA in Science while taking the most challenging Science program for three consecutive years at Saint John’s School.
World Languages Department Award
Student has maintained an outstanding GPA in World Languages while taking the most challenging language program for three consecutive years at Saint John’s School.
Mathematics Department Award
Student has maintained an outstanding GPA in Mathematics while taking the most challenging mathematics program for three consecutive years at Saint John’s School.
Social Studies Department Award
Student has maintained an outstanding GPA in Social Studies while taking the most challenging social studies program for three consecutive years at Saint John’s School.
Visual, Performing Arts and Media Department Award
Student has maintained an outstanding GPA in visual and/or performing arts while taking the most challenging Fine Arts program for three consecutive years at Saint John’s School.
Principal's Award
Student has a demonstrated record of service and dedication helping others and is in excellent academic standing.
Survivor Medal
Student who has been at Saint John’s School without interruption since kindergarten.
Board of Trustees
Executive Board
Nazli Iqbal, Chair — Parent ‘22, ‘29
Eduardo Emanuelli, Vice Chair — Alum ‘98, Parent ‘31, ‘35, ‘38
Ricardo Cruzval, Secretary — Alum ‘03, Parent ‘34, ‘38
Omar Ginorio, Treasurer — Parent ‘30, ‘33
Rafael Blanes — Alum ‘97, Parent ‘28, ‘28, ‘26
Lauren Borschow — Parent ‘30, ‘34, ‘36
Diego Cabrera — Parent ‘31, ‘33
Richard Carrión — Alum ‘00, Parent ‘29, ‘31, ‘38
Laura Crumley — Parent ‘27, ‘30
Manuel Del Valle — Alum ‘96, Parent ‘31, ‘31, ‘32
José A. Fernández – Parent ‘90, ‘91, ‘95, ‘98, Grandparent ‘20, ‘23
Jorge J. Fuentes — Alum ‘92, Parent ‘18, ‘21
Carlos Rodríguez — Parent ‘21, ‘24
Dr. Sultan Yassin — Alum ‘97, Parent ‘24, ‘26, ‘31, ‘34
Dr. Stephen Higuera — Alum ‘94, Parent ‘30, ‘33
Weston Martí — Alum ‘99, Parent ‘38, ‘39
Nannette Berríos — Alum ‘93, Parent ‘26, ‘28
Administration
Cecilia Márquez, Head of School
Dr. Miriam Font, Assistant Head of School and Dean of Academics
Samuel Ortiz, Secondary School Principal
Yolanda Adames, Upper Elementary School Principal
Maika Marchán, Early Childhood Principal
Vanessa Marie Fernández, Associate Principal
Stephanie Del Pino Parga, Dean of Student Life
María Townsend, Upper Elementary Instructional Coach
Rebecca Carlos, Early Childhood Instructional Coach
Michelle Balaguer, Communications Director
Nissa Cardona, Director of Enrollment Management
Natalie Dorón, Director of College Counseling
Lourdes García, Director of Facilities
Jimmy López, Director of Athletics and Wellness
Judith Medina, Accounting Director
Karla Ocasio, Human Resources Director
Chelsey Rodríguez, Director of Community Engagement
Tere Somoza, IT Director
Gena Golden Faigenblat, Alumni and Community Coordinator
Isabella Philippi, Communications Associate
Glorybell Vega, Executive Assistant to the Head of School
Paola DeCastro, Assistant Admissions Office
Jaymee Díaz, Administrative Assistant
Lourdes Figueroa, Administrative Assistant
Secondary Division Faculty and Staff
Yairelis Acevedo
Melvin Alicea
Arquímedes Avila
Jesica Báez
Luis Beltrán
María Benito
Natalia Bonelli
Rosa Burgos
Gloria Castillo
Emma Colón
Ángel Cruz
John Cruz
Pedro De Jesus
Patricia Del Toro
Wilfredo Delgado
Ilanit Edry
Rosalía Eiffert
Dana Erickson
Johanna Estrella
Arquelio Feliciano
Zoraima Figueroa
Nelson Franqui
Denise Freytes
María Fusté
Fabiola González
Jacqueline Jiang
Keivan Jiang
Richard Kinch
Joselyn Latimer
Dorián López
Gabriel López
Michael Mancuso
Dinah Mariani
Jocelyn Márquez
Anna Marrero
Randall Medina
Racheliz Medina
Laura Molina
René Molina
Yaralis Moreno
Carmen Olmo
Sixto Ortíz
Vanessa Ortíz
José Ortíz
Ángel Piñero
Roberto Pizarro
José Plúguez
Mayra Préstamo
Paloma Purcell
Paola Quirós
Sarah Rampolla
Camila Ríos
Lyaned Rivera
Rosa Rivera
Yancy Rivera
Kristal Rivera
Jovanette Rivera
Juan M. Rivera
Glenda Rodríguez
Judani Rodríguez
Rafaela Rodríguez
Fernando Román
Linda Rosa
Anna Rullán
Julio Ruvira
Francisco Santiago
Yarleen Santiago
Viviana Santiago
Elizabeth Santos
María de Lourdes Seijo
Joshua Serrano
Sylvie Tarbox
Gwendolyn Toro
Cristopher Torres
Ramón Torres
Gian Toyos
Luis Valentín
Nicole Widman
Upper Elementary Faculty and Staff
Beatriz Aldarondo
Roxana Asmat
María Beyley
Mónica Borges
Marilyn Castro
Frances Collazo
Suzanne Dubón
Sonia Franqui
Madeline Gómez
Andrea González
Viviana González
Sheila Hau
Sheddianne Hernández
Marjorie Joseph
Patricia Martínez
Margarita Mercado
Nayda Morales
Sheila Morales
Jacquelyn Pedley
Michelle Pérez
Rafael Pérez
Karthika Polo
José Pujals
Ivanisse Ramos
Brian Rechkemmer
Magdalena Reichard
Sara Rivera
Mayra Rodríguez
Naitza Rodríguez
Miriana Rosa
Mariangely Santana
María Sierra
David Vélez
Early Childhood Faculty and Staff
Mariam Alejandro
Ana Gabriela Álvarez
Georgianna Asensio
Lisette Barbeíto
Anina Blanco
Natalia Cabrera
Fabiola Castro
Sophia Cintrón
Paula Colón
Viviana Cott
Magda Fernández
Millie Ferres
Larimar Gallardo
Lesmari García
Doris González
Teresita Gregorio
Natalia Gutiérrez
Damaris Hermidas
Mónica Justicia
Eleonor Laureano
Mara Llado
Marielys Morales
Nicole Negrón
Tatiana Núñez
Marla Otero
Angélica Pagán
Jahnissi Palacios
Génesis Pérez
Isabelle Pérez
Jessica Purcell
Wyldiana Quíles
Yismariel Ralat
Almarie Rivera
Cristina Rivera
Luzmarie Rivera
Nicole Rivera
Gloria Román
Daniela Rondinelli
Catalina Rosado
Mariana Stawski
Valeria Torres
Jeannette Valldejuli
Alejandra Viera
Cecilia Ward
School Song
On Saint John’s School, On Saint John’s School, Sing her praises loud.
She will guide us to our future, Of her we’ll be proud. Keep her honor, Keep her honor, Spread out through the world. And whether near or far Her flag unfurled.
