By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer
Students from the diocesan elementary and high schools and the special learning centers were honored for their academic achievements April 27 at Berks Catholic High School, Reading.
The Bishop’s Scholar Awards Ceremony presented $122,000 in scholarships to 129 students based on their academic achievement; their school, parish and community activities; their leadership roles; and recommendations from their principal and their pastor.
Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert presented 113 eighth grade students from diocesan elementary schools and one student from each of the three special learning centers with $1,000 scholarships to attend one of the diocesan high schools or special learning centers.
At the same ceremony, 13 seniors from the six diocesan high schools were presented with $500 scholarships for post-secondary education and plaques declaring them Bishop’s Catholic Scholars. The students were chosen based on their academics, school involvement, Catholic faith and community service.
The scholarships are available because of the generosity of the people of the Diocese of Allentown, who, through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, provide funding for these scholarships.
Dr. Phil Fromuth, superintendent of Catholic education, welcomed the scholars, family and friends to the ceremony, where the students were honored for distinguishing themselves by their scholastic achievement, leadership and service to others.
“These traits have served you well. I encourage you to continue to work hard and to share your gifts with others,” he said.
“We rejoice with you and with your families, whose encouragement and support has made Catholic education possible for you. This education has enabled you to grow not only in knowledge, but also in love for your God, and service to your parish, school and community.”
Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert also lauded the students and reminded them that their Catholic education will serve them well for the faith it has deepened in them, the work ethic it has instilled in them, and a greater awareness of the dignity that they are made in the image and likeness of God that it has provided them.
“It is not always easy to live out the values that you have received in the Catholic faith. I challenge you to be courageous witnesses of the faith in the world today,” he told the scholars.
This year’s Bishop’s Catholic Scholars are: Jessica Davis and Thomas Perun, Allentown Central Catholic High School (ACCHS); Jasmine Slusser and Diego Marmolejos, Berks Catholic High School (BCHS), Reading; Brenna Magliochetti and Caden Giordano, Bethlehem Catholic High School (Becahi); Ariel Stanalonis and Jacob Artz, Marian High School, Tamaqua; Abigail and Allison Bolich and Connor McNamara, Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville; and Nadia Gonzalez and John Koons, Notre Dame High School, Easton.
Scholars from the special learning centers are: James Hebert, Mercy School for Special Learning, Allentown; Liam Meier, St. Joseph Center for Special Learning, Pottsville; and Jennifer Valdez-Urbina, John Paul II Center for Special Learning, Reading.
Catholic high school scholars from ACCHS: Rachel Apiolaza, Aidan Beck, Matthew Braun, Abigale Brosious, Avery Daniels, Lauren Egan, Autumn Germick, Julianna Hahn, Kylie Heinze, Emma Hudak, Christian Larrota, Ella Laski, Mercedes Martinez, Elizabeth McGorry, Samantha Meskill, Jaden Morales, Owen John Ness, Hailey Perez, Hunter Ramsey, Mary Elizabeth Sarmir, Lola Rose Schaeffer, Madalyn Szoke and Tanner Temple.
BCHS: Helen Andreyo, Jennifer Beaver, Sydney Brown, Estella Burkman, Madison Cannon, Madison Esterly, Jackson Gasperack, Olivia Hagelbarger, Caraline Herb, Avery Kelly, Andrew Kurtas IV, Michael Lusane, Evelyn Nguyen, Kaitlyn Nguyen, Gianna Olinger, Edward Oscar, Isabella Reali, Bryleigh Reddy, Nayalise Sierra, Niamya Wansley, Kylie Weiger, Jason Winterstein and Lauren Yerger.
Becahi: William Alia, Vanessa Amrick, Mia Arbushites, John Barron, Sydney Bennett, Margaret Burke, Eoin Egbert, Aiyan Elias, Tenley Irr, Corina JeBran, Sarah Mathew, Zachary Neff, Francesca Oberholzer, Emily Pepe, Olivia Pérez, Laycha Rodriguez, Vincent Santostefano, Adriana Simmons, Veronica Stangl, Mary Jean Thornburg, Matthew Tomko, Emma Zambo and Claire Zaza.
Marian: Consuelo Barcenas, Kerrigan Digris, Hunter Gallagher, Jenna Goff, Richard Maggio, Blaise Mullen, Ethan John Risteter, Joseph Walko and Scott Young.
Nativity: Ian Andrefski, Cole Andrefski, Eric Andruchek, Bella Bartashus, Emma Bolich, Caitlin Cappella, Ava Marie Frantz, Stanley Gorski, Madison Kramer, Riley McDonald, Zachary Mills, Tyler Novack, Joshua Steffan, Cameron Strauss and Blake Whalen.
NDHS: Sarah Andreano, Raven Benner, Lauren Bjelobrk, Clare Duffy, Cole Fulton, Colin Griffith, Sophia Marie Hahn, Meiko Harris-Sivells, Paige Hittinger, Mason Ludlow, Grace Mansfield, Graceann Mattair, Julia Pohl, Lauren Raniszewski, Mikaela Ryder, Rosetta Shupe, Katherine Stawicki, Elizabeth Stawicki, Dylan Stroppa and Amber Unger.
