On Their Way To Bright Futures

(From Nativity in Bloom, 2025) My name is Dipendra Bharati. I vividly remember standing right here nearly a decade ago, giving a speech as a fifth grader. Funny enough, I was standing on a step stool just to reach the microphone. Thankfully, that’s no longer necessary tonight—God is good.

If someone had told me back then that I would return ten years later to speak again—not as an eleven or twelve-year-old, but as a 22-year-old—I would’ve thought they were either joking or a magician. Life has a beautiful way of coming full circle.
My 5th-grade year at Nativity was nothing short of transformative. It marked the beginning of a journey that shaped not only my academic path but also the person I would become. I learned that even the smallest acts of kindness can leave a lasting impact. That friendship can bloom in the most unexpected places. And perhaps most importantly, I came to understand that there’s no such thing as an end—only new beginnings waiting to unfold.

The rest of my Nativity story was filled with moments of trial and error, of triumphs and setbacks. But like any meaningful journey, it was not defined by perfection—it was defined by growth. If I had to summarize it, I would say it was a journey of discovering purpose, of learning how to walk with courage, and of realizing that the seeds planted here continue to grow long after we leave.
After graduating from Nativity, I went on to study at McQuaid Jesuit High School.
McQuaid was an incredible experience—yes, it was an all-boys school, but no, that’s not what made it amazing! What truly made it special was realizing just how much Nativity had prepared me. I didn’t just feel ready academically—I felt supported. At every turn, there were people guiding me, even through the smallest, most awkward steps (like learning how to tie a tie properly without using YouTube).

After McQuaid, I went on to college, where I studied Business, Finance, and
Psychology—a combination that taught me how money moves, how markets think, and how people often don’t. It was during college that things really clicked for me. I realized what truly excited me was the world of trading and analysis. I wanted to dive deep into markets, patterns, and decision-making, and see how strategy and human behavior intersect. And that’s exactly what I did. I opened a brokerage account, started analyzing, and got the ball rolling. Now, I wish I could tell you I made millions of dollars trading in the stock market—but, spoiler alert, I’m not Jordan Belfort. What I did learn, and what I’m still learning every day, is the value of making small but lasting decisions—both in the market and in life.
Those small steps can add up in ways we don’t always expect.

Kalind Adhikari, McQuaid Class of 2021, is the first Nativity graduate to receive the Miller Family Scholarship at the University of Rochester! The Miller Family Scholarship is an endowed scholarship established by Mr. Richard Miller, a member of the Nativity Boston Board of Trustees and a U of R alum. Kalind aspires to become a physician and is grateful to Nativity and the Miller Family Scholarship for helping him pursue this next step!

Jocelyn Kirkland, Our Lady of Mercy Class of 2025, and an incoming freshman at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, delivered the graduating alumni reflection. Her speech, Keep Rising, was inspirational. Below is her speech.

Keep Rising-

Today is more than a celebration of your Middle School years. It’s a
bridge. A powerful step forward into a new chapter called high school.
And I want you to know this: you are ready.
At Nativity Prep, you learned more than math and writing. You’ve
learned what it means to work hard even when things feel tough. You’ve
learned how to ask for help, how to lead with kindness, and how to
bounce back after setbacks. You’ve lived the values of faith, courage,
respect, and service. These are not just school values, they are life
values.
High School will stretch you. It will ask more of you. It may challenge
your confidence. There may be moments when you wonder, “Do I
belong here?” When that happens, I want you to remember where you
came from. I want you to remember every early morning you showed up
every teacher who believed in you, every project you finished, and
every prayer you whispered when things felt hard.
There will be days in high school when things don’t go your way. You
might bomb a quiz, you might feel out of place, you might even trip up
the stairs in front of everyone and (that might just be my experience.)
But guess what? That doesn’t mean you don’t belong. It means you’re
learning
You’ll rise by asking for help when you need it.
You’ll rise by helping others when they need you.
You’ll rise every time you show kindness, speak up for what’s right, and
push yourself to grow; even when it’s hard.
Let me remind you… that you do belong. You have a foundation that will
carry you through anything.
And if you ever feel Lost, lean into your Nativity family, your teacher’s,
mentors, and classmates; You are forever part of something bigger; you
carry that spirit with you into every hallway, classroom, and challenge.
To the graduates: You are smart. You are strong. You are ready.