Emily Benton, daughter of Amanda and Joe Benton of Ivanhoe, and Emma Purdie, daughter of Shawn and David Purdie of Clinton, graduated from St. Mary’s School in Raleigh on Sunday, May 21. They were among 77 high school seniors receiving diplomas from Head of School Monica M. Gillespie, Ph.D, during Saint Mary’s 175th year commencement exercises, held in the school’s oak grove which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Saint Mary’s School is an independent Episcopal college-preparatory, boarding and day school dedicated to academic excellence and personal achievement for young women in grades 9-12. Founded in 1842, Saint Mary’s is the fourth oldest girls boarding school in the nation.