The St. Augustine High School class of 2022 celebrates more than just their graduation.
A viral tweet posted by a parent of a graduate shows the graduating class of 100 students dancing and rejoicing in the streets outside the church that held their commencement ceremony.
According to Twitter user @Kay_Jeaux, the graduating class has received college acceptances and accumulated over 9 million dollars in scholarships.
“It’s late but I don’t care. The world deserves to see this black boy joy. Congratulations to THE St. Augustine High School class of 2022,” She said. “100% college acceptance. $9.2M in scholarships. Straight out of the 7th ward of New Orleans. Let that make headlines! Dance!”
The tweet has accumulated over 6,700 retweets and almost 27K likes.
It’s late but I don’t care. The world deserves to see this black boy joy. Congratulations to THE St. Augustine High School class of 2022. 100% college acceptance. $9.2M in scholarships. Straight out of the 7th ward of New Orleans. Let that make headlines! Dance! 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/ZO9GdfMceI
— ⚜Jeaux⚜ (@Kay_Jeaux) May 19, 2022
According to the school’s official website, St. Augustine High School was founded in 1951 by the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart through the Youth Progress Program of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
The college preparatory school for boys grades 8-12 held its 68th annual commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 18, with 100 graduates in attendance.
St. Augustine’s Twitter account shared photos from the ceremony, including a picture of their Guest Speaker, Michael Blake.
“Shots from our Class of 2022 Baccalaureate Mass,” the tweet read. “featuring Guest Speaker: Mr. Michael Blake”
Shots from our Class of 2022 Baccalaureate Mass, featuring Guest Speaker: Mr. Michael Blake pic.twitter.com/X7qTpLBbZi
— St Augustine NOLA (@StAugnola) May 20, 2022
Now presenting: St. Augustine High School’s Graduating Class of 2022 pic.twitter.com/gCw5lu1HKg
— St Augustine NOLA (@StAugnola) May 19, 2022
Blake shared photos and videos of the ceremony on his Instagram account.
In one video, the graduating class can be seen singing inside St. Joseph Church as altar boys carrying candles set up the altar.
“@staugnola HS Baccalaureate Mass,” Blake wrote. “(The only ALL Black, ALL Boy Catholic HS in America).”
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Blake shared several photos of himself, the graduating class, Aulston Taylor, the president and CEO of St. Augustine, and more.
“100 Purple Knights will graduate this Wednesday from @staugnola, the only All Black, All Boy Catholic HS in the US,” Blake wrote. “Monday night, @aulstontaylor invited me to keynote their Baccalaureate Mass. My Heart is Full.”
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The boys received widespread praise after the mom’s post had been viewed more than 425,000 times. In addition, hundreds of Twitter users congratulated and praised the achievement on social media.
got tears in my eyes! these young men will change the world! pic.twitter.com/sRtmO6BeS3
— Booked and Busy (@jay_slypig) May 19, 2022
Nephew is in that number and he’s headed to Notre Dame!!😍 pic.twitter.com/j6ycfZv9wb
— kameelah nia johnson (@ivyleague33) May 19, 2022
This is what our world desperately needs: Joy, just full blown happiness and celebration. Congratulations to all these young men and their families. ❤️❤️❤️
— MG (@Kuro_no_kaze) May 20, 2022
I luv it!!! Go Purple! Congratulations to you young men. I know that St Aug has prepared you for what’s to come. Time to show the world your greatness!! Lesssgo!💜💛
— Gigi (@NOLABreeze99) May 20, 2022
Congratulations, gentlemen!