By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer
Students from the Diocesan elementary and high schools, and the special centers for learning were honored for their academic achievements April 28 at Bethlehem Catholic High School.
The Bishop’s Scholar Awards Ceremony presented $140,000 in scholarships to 131 students based on their academic achievement; their school, parish and community activities; their leadership roles; and recommendations from their principal and their pastor.
“This time of year there are all kinds of banquets and they are very important because it is good to recognize people in many ways. Today we recognize young men and women who have distinguished themselves on a variety levels, such as in their faith, their academics and their service,” said Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert.
A former teacher at Notre Dame High School, Easton, Bishop Schlert thanked his former student, Sam Malone, CAT Country 96, for serving as master of ceremonies, and extended special gratitude to parents and families.
“Thank you to all the families that support these young men and women. They learn first at home. You allow us and entrust us with your precious children to reinforce what you teach at home – faith, good work ethics, hard work and service to others,” he said.
To the eighth-grade scholars who are entering their high school career, Bishop Schlert said to keep their ears, mind and heart open to what God is calling them to do in life.
“I invite you – no matter what you believe you want to be – to always be open to the call to priesthood or religious life,” he said.
To the scholars embarking on their college careers, Bishop Schlert asked them to continue their faith life and pursue the truth.
“You can still be an accountant and have a call to the priesthood or the religious life. Never close down that thought,” said Bishop Schlert.
Paul Acampora, secretary of the Diocesan Secretariat for Stewardship and Development, also lauded students for their achievements and recognized supporters of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal (BAA).
“Thanks to gifts from thousands of individuals, friends, neighbors, teachers and people who care about our churches, schools and ministries – this day is possible,” he said.
During the ceremony, 131 eighth grade students and one student from each of the three special learning centers were awarded $1,000 scholarships to one of the diocesan high schools or special learning centers.
The ceremony also presented 12 seniors, one boy and one girl from each of the six diocesan high schools, $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.
This year’s Bishop’s Catholic Scholars are: Shannon O’Neill and Harrison Stevens, Allentown Central Catholic High School (ACCHS); Jacob Arquisola and Katrina Mulherin, Berks Catholic High School (BCHS), Reading; Marisa Linsky and Nick Zambo, Bethlehem Catholic High School (Becahi); Julia Hoben and Max Nolter, Marian High School, Tamaqua; Ty Daubert and Emily Yordy, Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville; and Shea Elliot and Brian Myers, Notre Dame High School (NDHS), Easton.
Scholars from the special learning centers are: Eduardo Barcenas, St. Joseph Center for Special Learning, Pottsville; Brody Kleckner, Mercy School for Special Learning, Allentown; and Jennifer Valdez-Urbina, John Paul II Center for Special Learning, Reading.
Catholic high school scholars for ACCHS are: Indira Alvarado, Ryan Carbone, Katie Cavanagh, Jacob Demchak, Vincent Fantozzi, Emily Harclerode, Charles Haring, Andrew LaRock, Bridey Lawler, Jaden Lengen, Jennifer Milisits, Vivian Munshower, Grant Neff, Meagan Niechwiadowicz, Jonathan Romero, Julia Roth, Gabriella Rutch, Nicholas Santos, Elizabeth Sayegh, Cole Sonday, Emma Talago, Owen Wandalowski, Natalie Woytek and Natalia Yunez.
BCHS: Jillian Avadanian, Kate Barbon, Maurilenis Batista, Katherine Buerke, Sarina Castillo, Joyce Chan, Grace Donato, Coleen Duncan, Russell Emrich, Gabriella Femino, Josalynn Garvin, Jasmine Gonzalez, Grace Hornickle, Paul Impellizzeri, Hailey Keperling, Sabrina Knipe, Annaka Mirabella, Emma Moody, Anthony Nguyen, Sean Reilly, Robert Edward Markey Silver, Brittany Truong, Hailey Wahl and Abigail Wolf.
Becahi: Taylor Adams, Isabella Bautista, Julia Bricco, Emma Crago, Kiyoshi Dixon, Joseph Duffy, Brett Fyrer, Madeline Gonzalez, Grace Hartman, Justin Kanyuk, Ryanna Kral, Emilia Lieb, Mary Locascio, Ella McIntyre, Gerald Miletics, Elizabeth Morales, Molly Neidig, Abigail Quinn, Steven Recchio, Robert Ruhl, Emma Smith, Madison Tatum, Ella Trunzo and Kara Vasquez.
Marian: Abagail Artz: Rhiannon Brady, Morgan Brennan, Bryan Cervasio, Haili Conrad, Grace Curnow, Olivia Erickson, Jacob Fenstermaker, Katelynn Frantz, Colin Hasara, Chloe Hiles, Matthew Holloman, Andi Hoherchak, Ashlyn Klitsch, Chloe Londono, Alexandra Martinez, Nathalie Nunez, Anthony Soberick, Kelly Sullivan and Charlotte Vinson.
Nativity: Adrienne Barowski, Dominic Chewey, Fletcher Eades, Lauren Ferhat, Helena Fredericks, Lily Matlock, Bennett McNamara, Victoria Modesto, Benjamin Piccioni, Helena Polinsky, Richard Prezelski, Dawson Seiders, Kieran Seven, Benjamin Sipes, Joshua Tray and Julius Walborn.
NDHS: David Banko, Matthew Benolken, Paresia Bialek, Cory Burgess, Mariana Cardoza, Charlie Carson, Raegan Cooper, Ava Fortner, Ronald Farina, Luke Gubernot, Lucas Guimes, Amber Harris, Annemarie Hohl, Austin Karwacki, Ryan Kothstein, Keiran Lencheski, Leo McMenimen, Ethan O'Neill, Sarah Sidoro, Philip Snyder, Caitlyn Stackhouse, Grace Trautwein and Thomas Wendland.
