Kelsey O’Driscoll ’12 to serve as the 2026 MSDA Commencement Speaker | Articles Kelsey O’Driscoll ’12 to serve as the 2026 MSDA Commencement Speaker Kelsey O’Driscoll ’12 to serve as the 2026 MSDA Commencement Speaker Shown Above: Kelsey O'Driscoll '12 February 2026 Mount St. Dominic Academy proudly announces alumnae Kelsey O’Driscoll ’12, a Para Alpine skier, pediatric nurse, and 2026 Paralympian, as its 2026 MSDA Commencement speaker, honoring her remarkable resilience in overcoming a spinal cord injury to compete for Team USA and inspire the Class of 2026. Mount St. Dominic Academy is thrilled to announce that Kelsey O’Driscoll, Class of 2012, will serve as the Commencement speaker for MSDA’s 131st graduation ceremony. As a member of the track and cross-country teams during her time at the Mount, athletics had always been Kelsey’s passion. She so whole-heartedly gave everything she had while running, skiing, or surfing, that her family described her as “being fast and fearless.” In 2021, everything changed when she sustained a life-altering spinal cord injury while sledding. Kelsey’s recovery was long and demanding. She learned how to walk again in rehabilitation and gradually, she returned to the activities she loved. First the ocean and surfing, and, eventually, the mountains! Once again, skiing, a lifelong pastime she had shared with her family, became part of her life. Because of her determination, discipline, and dedication to skiing, Kelsey began to compete in four track ski racing. As a testimony of her hard work, she qualified for the 2025-26 Para Alpine Ski Team for Team USA, making her World Cup debut, and qualifying for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games. From March 6 to March 15 during the Paralympic Games, Kelsey will compete with start rights in all five Para Alpine skiing events: Downhill, Super-G, Alpine Combined, Giant Slalom and Slalom. Beyond her achievements on the competitive slopes, Kelsey continues to serve others in meaningful ways. She became the first adaptive ski patroller at Gore Mountain and works as a pediatric nurse specializing in asthma care—an area close to her heart as someone who lives with asthma herself. She earned her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from SUNY Adirondack in 2019. In the months after her accident, Kelsey wrestled with a question: “Who am I if I’m not a runner?” Her journey and determination since then is a powerful example of what it means to reclaim one’s dreams and persevere through the hardest of challenges. As a true Mount Alumnae, Kelsey embodies the spirit of the Mount. Her patience, optimism, and resilience are extraordinary, inspiring all who hear her story. The Mount is honored to welcome her back to her hometown of Caldwell, New Jersey, this spring, where she will address the graduating Class of 2026 on behalf of the alumnae community. Follow Kelsey’s journey and learn more through her official Team USA bio , and watch the video that was used to surprise the student community! Shown Above: Kelsey O'Driscoll '12 running track for Mount St. Dominic Academy Athletics Graduation Homepage In the News News alumnae alumnae news homepage news Return to All News Page